* Grant will be used for feasibility study to support equitable, affordable broadband internet
United States Trade and Development Agency has awarded over US$1 million grant to Botswana Fibre Networks Proprietary Limited (BoFiNet) for a feasibility study to support equitable and affordable broadband internet access to nearly half million people in Botswana’s most rural and hardest-to-reach communities.
Ambassador Howard Van Vranken told Botswana Guardian in an interview that the US Government has collaborated with government and the people of Botswana in a variety of ways, some of which include in security.
"We have a very vibrant Peace Corps program. We have Peace Corps volunteers who are involved in the housing sector, but they are also working in economic development."
He said they have a training law enforcement academy in Otse that they run in coordination and at the invitation of Botswana Police Service where they do training for people from 38 different countries across the African continent, as well as from American and South East Asians where they learn law enforcements activities, judicial training, counter poaching, money laundering.
"I have just signed a grant agreement for the US Trade and Development Agency to provide over US$1million to BoFiNet so that it can expand its internet in rural areas of Botswana.
“That is the kind of collaboration that we do. We think it is important that Batswana throughout the country should have a high-speed internet because that is going to impact on their lives and on their ability to earn a living. We
think it is important to diversify the economy and build the agricultural sector," he said.
He added that through their grand programme, they have given money to various enterprises in Botswana. “I must point out that there is going to be more that is coming forward."
According to USTDS Director, Enoh Ebong, in a statement release midweek, the USTDA’s study will assess the viability of expanding BoFiNet digital infrastructure nationally through the deployment of six different technology options, including fibre backbone, backhaul network, wireless access network, public Wi-Fi, fibre wholesale access network, and a new Tier 3 data centre in Northern Botswana.
“Botswana is a strong ally of the United States in Africa. This partnership with BoFiNet is yet another example of how innovative Botswanan and American companies can collaborate on mutual priorities to build prosperity in both our nations,” Vranken said.
USTDA’s study advances the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, announced at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in December 2022, to expand digital access on the continent.
It also supports the Prosper Africa initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
The US Trade and Development Agency helps companies create US jobs through the export of US goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.
USTDA links US businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
Ambassador Howard Van Vranken told Botswana Guardian in an interview that the US Government has collaborated with government and the people of Botswana in a variety of ways, some of which include in security.
"We have a very vibrant Peace Corps program. We have Peace Corps volunteers who are involved in the housing sector, but they are also working in economic development."
He said they have a training law enforcement academy in Otse that they run in coordination and at the invitation of Botswana Police Service where they do training for people from 38 different countries across the African continent, as well as from American and South East Asians where they learn law enforcements activities, judicial training, counter poaching, money laundering.
"I have just signed a grant agreement for the US Trade and Development Agency to provide over US$1million to BoFiNet so that it can expand its internet in rural areas of Botswana.
“That is the kind of collaboration that we do. We think it is important that Batswana throughout the country should have a high-speed internet because that is going to impact on their lives and on their ability to earn a living. We
think it is important to diversify the economy and build the agricultural sector," he said.
He added that through their grand programme, they have given money to various enterprises in Botswana. “I must point out that there is going to be more that is coming forward."
According to USTDS Director, Enoh Ebong, in a statement release midweek, the USTDA’s study will assess the viability of expanding BoFiNet digital infrastructure nationally through the deployment of six different technology options, including fibre backbone, backhaul network, wireless access network, public Wi-Fi, fibre wholesale access network, and a new Tier 3 data centre in Northern Botswana.
“Botswana is a strong ally of the United States in Africa. This partnership with BoFiNet is yet another example of how innovative Botswanan and American companies can collaborate on mutual priorities to build prosperity in both our nations,” Vranken said.
USTDA’s study advances the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, announced at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in December 2022, to expand digital access on the continent.
It also supports the Prosper Africa initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
The US Trade and Development Agency helps companies create US jobs through the export of US goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.
USTDA links US businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
