Written by harveyOctober 3, 2025

Press Release: BTC Financial Inclusion Music Festival in Maun a Success

3rd October 2025

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For Immediate Release 

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) has held its first financial inclusion music festival in Maun over the Independence Day holiday. The music festival featured an array of local artists and comedians, inclusive of Amantle Brown, Costa FX, Baxon and Diba, April Gates, Captain Dira, Stiga Sola, Scar, Swag Kids DJs, Lioness Ratang, Franco etc. The music festival is part of the BTC’s financial inclusion programme delivered under the theme Dira.Gola.Tshela roadshow, where a total of 129 villages were covered, leading to the music festival in Maun.

Dira.Gola.Tshela roadshow is a national programme that reinforces BTC’s commitment to building a financially inclusive Botswana through a number of activities such as financial literacy training for community leaders and members of the public across Botswana; training of residents on the importance of insurance (funeral cover) for low-income earners and the unemployed, the promotion of financial literacy to residents through artistic expression such as drama, music, poetry etc. through partnerships with local artists.

“The roadshow is the main platform driving BTC’s Financial Inclusion programme, which ensures that citizens and non-citizens can access essential services such as BTC Smega, and unlock the amazing features loaded on the platform that include cash in and cash out, motshelo account for secure group savings, short term loans, payments of services such as bills, electricity, policies etc”, said Acting Head of Mobile Financial Services, Kitso Motswagae. He further stated that through the national roadshow, BTC will create vibrant touchpoints for community connections by using edutainment (education and entertainment) elements such as music festivals and football tournaments to reach and engage the communities as the teams travel across the country, adding that “a total of 300 villages will be covered”.

“The programme embeds BTC’s purpose in everyday experiences that resonate with people’s lives”, explained Mr Motswagae. These engagements demonstrate BTC’s inclusive product suite and also show how connectivity, mobile money, and financial education can transform households and communities. “As BTC marks 45 years of service to the nation, the Dira. Gola. Tshela roadshow continues to align with Botswana’s national development goals and the global vision for universal financial access.”, he explained. He further stated that the music festival held in Maun was the first of its kind, and more are planned.

Combining education as well as digital tools has enabled BTC to ensure that no one is left behind on the financial inclusion journey. The programme reflects BTC’s belief in the importance of empowering communities and ensuring that they are included in matters that affect the economy of Botswana.

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Written by harveySeptember 24, 2025

Press Release: Changes to the BTC Board

All Media Houses

For Immediate Release

ANNOUNCEMENT CHANGES ON THE BTC BOARD

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held today, 23rd September 2025, Botswana Telecommunications Board Limited (“BTC”) announced that the following Independent Non-Executive Directors have retired from the BTC Board effective 23rd September 2025, namely, Mr Mokgethi F. Magapa, who has also been the Board Chairperson, Mr. Bafana Molomo, and Mr. Ranjith Priyalal De Silva.

Following the retirement of Mr. Mokgethi F. Magapa as a Director and Board Chairperson of the Company on the 23rd September 2025, the Board has at its meeting held on the same day, appointed Mr. Thato Kewakae as an interim Board Chairperson effective the 23rd September 2025. Mr Kewakae has been an independent non-executive Director of the Company since 2021.

Furthermore, at the AGM, Mr Kgotso Bannalotlhe was appointed as Non-Executive Director, and shareholders further ratified the appointment of Mr Jürgen Peschel as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director, reaffirming his mandate to lead BTC’s transformation and turnaround strategy.

BTC expresses its gratitude to the outgoing board members for their dedicated service and looks forward to further strengthening its governance as it continues its transformational drive, operational efficiency, customer focus, and digital growth.

About Mr Thato Kewakae – Interim Board Chair

Mr Thato Kewakae is a well-rounded business professional and executive with a strong background in business and ICT. He has gained experience across various industries, leading growth in the private sector, working in consultancy, and providing support services for both the government and the private sector.

 

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Written by harveySeptember 18, 2025

4th BTC Francistown Marathon 2025 Donation Handover and launch of the 5th BTC Francistown Marathon 2026

17th September 2025

All Media Houses

For Immediate Release

BTC donates proceeds to beneficiaries and launches 5th Francistown Marathon

Francistown, Botswana – September 17, 2025 – Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) has announced and donated proceeds from the 4th BTC Francistown Marathon 2025 to communities in the Northern part of Botswana, namely Francistown City Council, Tonota, Tutume, and Masunga District Councils. Furthermore, BTC has launched the 5th BTC Francistown Marathon and stated that the Marathon will be held on Saturday, 18th April 2026 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.

Beneficiaries of proceeds from the 4th BTC Francistown Marathon 2025 were announced as follows: the Department of Tribal Administration under the Francistown City Council will receive two desktop computers and medium-duty printer/photocopiers for five kgotla offices, amounting to P139,375. The District Health Management Team (DHMT) under the Tonota District Council will be provided with 16 wheelchairs to be distributed among 16 health facilities, amounting to P104,000.

The Department of Education- Nata RADs hostels under the Tutume District Council will receive 194 waterproof mattresses, 194 waterproof pillows, 194 seven-litre buckets, six 21-litre stainless steel urns, four burner industrial stoves, and five industrial irons, amounting to P87,500. Masunga Village Development Committee and Mosojane Village Development Committee under the North-East District Council will receive a waste segregation kit to turn waste into revenue, amounting to P80,000.

Additionally, the Francistown Athletics Club, who are BTC’s technical partner, will receive funds for the daily running of the club, amounting to P90,000. In total, BTC has donated P500,875 from the 4th Francistown Marathon 2025 to beneficiaries, bringing the total value of proceeds donated to P1 million over the past three years (2023, 2024, and 2025).

Welcoming guests at the donation handover and launch event, the Mayor of the City of Francistown, His Worship Gaone Majere, stated that he was happy with the charitable effect of the Marathon on the region, as BTC has not only committed to donating proceeds from the marathon, as over the years they have witnessed that commitment being fulfilled. Furthermore, the Mayor commended the BTC Francistown Marathon for being an economic booster, “the previous Marathons hosted in our city have proved to be fundamental”, adding that they “have seen the tremendous impact on the economy of our city, with different industries benefitting from Francistown being the host to thousands of local and international athletes”.

Unpacking BTC’s transformational journey, BTC Chief Executive Officer Mr Jurgen Peschel stated that they are proud of the significant strides that BTC has made in strengthening its market position while laying the foundation for the next phase of growth. He stated that the company has “undertaken projects to strengthen our mobile network infrastructure, accelerate fibre rollout and broadband expansion, and deliver notable Fintech initiatives which include Smega offerings namely Karabo Funeral Plan, loans, sale of electricity etc”, he said.

Zoning to BTC’s impact in the greater Francistown area, Mr Peschel stated that the company is replacing copper cables with advanced technologies to enhance customer experience and service reliability. In the fintech space, Mr Peschel stated that the company’s financial inclusion team is currently touring the country, promoting financial literacy and educating Batswana on affordable digital products and services. He stated that in the North, the team will be covering 123 villages across 9 districts through this initiative. He also noted that through the BTC Francistown Marathon, BTC aims to positively impact the economy of Francistown by organising an activity that transforms the lives of residents, the business community, and neighbouring villages.

Additionally, BTC launched the 5th BTC Francistown Marathon 2026, which will be held on Saturday, 18th April 2026 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown under the tagline “ Run Milestones of Hope”. To register and pay, runners and athletes should visit the marathon website at www.btc.bw/btc-francistown-marathon/ or the nearest BTC shop.

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Written by harveyJuly 29, 2025

BTC showcases its agricultural innovation at Ghanzi Show 2025

All Media Houses

For Immediate Release

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) took part in the Ghanzi Show held in Ghanzi under the theme ‘Sowing Seeds of Innovation for Agricultural Transformation’. The event is one of the most significant agricultural events in Botswana, celebrated for its role in promoting agricultural trade, showcasing innovations, and supporting local businesses and communities. Throughout the five days that the show was held, BTC hosted several activations in the region (Ghanzi mall, Charleshill, and Ghanzi council), offering services such as know your customer (KYC), Smega registrations, sale of Smega prepaid visa card, opening of Smega motshelo account, showcasing VSAT and Starlink services, sim cards sales, replacements and registrations, sales of S6 phones, LTE, and MiFi routers.

BTC also used this opportunity to showcase its innovation geared towards agriculture, namely VSAT and Starlink. In context, BTC provides connectivity, data analytics, and IoT solutions that benefit farmers in efficient resource management as well as improved market access. Through satellite internet and IoT services, BTC assists farmers to manage resources efficiently, access real-time data, and expand market reach. Additionally, satellite internet services are beneficial for farmers in remote areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited or non-existent. These solutions allow farmers to access important agricultural resources, including weather forecasts, market trends, and digital platforms for selling their produce, among others.

Furthermore, real-time monitoring and data analytics enable farmers to manage water usage, monitor soil health, and track livestock health and movements. All these technological advancements empower farmers to make data-driven decisions, reduce operational costs, and increase yields. BTC remains committed to driving digital growth in agriculture, improving connectivity, efficiency, and market access for farmers and local businesses across Botswana. The company will continue to collaborate with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, ensuring that innovation and digital transformation remain central to the country’s agricultural development.

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