NEWS RELEASE
September 20, 2023
Gaborone, Botswana – On September 20th, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Botswana Fibre Networks Proprietary Limited (BoFiNet) for a feasibility study to support equitable and affordable broadband internet access to nearly a half million people in Botswana’s most rural and hardest-to-reach communities. BoFiNet is the Government of Botswana’s wholesale provider of national and international telecommunications infrastructure.
“USTDA is proud to partner with BoFiNet on one of Botswana’s top digital infrastructure priorities. This project will impact hundreds of underserved communities across the country,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Our involvement will create opportunities for U.S. companies to offer innovative technology that can advance Botswana’s goal of delivering reliable access to secure, high-speed internet to all of its citizens.”
USTDA’s study will assess the viability of expanding BoFiNet’s digital infrastructure nationally through the deployment of six different technology options, including fiber backbone, backhaul network, wireless access network, public Wi-Fi, fiber wholesale access network, and a new Tier 3 data center in Northern Botswana.
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Howard A. Van Vranken, said: “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.”
USTDA’s study advances the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, announced at the U.S.-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.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
