Local and global organisations operating in Africa often have to make business decisions against the backdrop of economic turbulence. Larger companies are equipped to deal with this, but for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), working within tight budgets and with limited resources poses significant challenges. Add to this a shifting economic landscape caused by a downturn in the global diamond market, and you’ll have some idea what SMEs in Botswana are facing.
2025 has been a tough year for Botswana’s economy. With diamonds accounting for the bulk of export earnings, the slowdown has affected every industry, prompting a revision of the country’s 2025 growth forecast. For SMEs, which make up the majority of businesses in the country and contribute roughly 15-20% of GDP, it’s even tougher. For them, it’s about how to keep afloat in times of disruption.
Digital resilience is the first step in being prepared.
The case for digital resilience
Financial constraints and human resource pressures can’t always be predicted, but companies can make upfront investments to ensure that their technology and systems can weather disruption.
For SMEs, digital resilience, or the ability to continue operating, protect systems and data, and adapt using technology, relies on having the right tools for their scale and sector. Businesses with even basic digital capabilities are better equipped to adapt to changing conditions.
Not only can they maintain continuity of operations, but they can also safeguard data, reduce the impact of cyber incidents, manage costs using flexible models that match their business needs, and use online platforms and cloud-based operations to reach customers beyond their borders. In short, resilience allows SMEs to turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Technology providers as strategic partners
Digital resilience isn’t built on the most advanced tools, but on the right tools that match the realities of day-to-day business. A family-owned construction company in Gaborone won’t need the same solutions as a safari operator in Maun. This is where specialist technology partners like Liquid Intelligent Technologies come in, tailoring solutions to SMEs’ specific needs:
Scale without strain: Reliable, scalable connectivity grows with your business. Start small and expand capacity as you grow, without paying enterprise-level costs.
Work smarter, not harder: Flexible cloud tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and AWS let you pay only for what you use, adapting monthly to changing business demands.
Stay secure: With managed cyber security solutions such as Liquid Secure360, SMEs get enterprise-grade protection, including firewalls, endpoint security, and monitoring without needing in-house IT expertise.
Collaborate anywhere: Unified tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint make hybrid work seamless, cutting travel costs and connecting teams across Botswana’s vast distances.
Holistic, partnership-driven support
This holistic approach is solution-oriented and partnership-driven, not transactional. It enables SMEs to build an ecosystem of technology that evolves with them. Rather than piecing together siloed services, they gain a single, comprehensive platform backed by expert guidance, freeing them to focus on growth, customers, and competitiveness.
Economic uncertainty is part of doing business in Africa. The companies that survive are digitally resilient and able to adapt and grow despite unpredictability. For Botswana’s SMEs, working with the right partners and technologies is the foundation for long-term competitiveness in a digital future.
*Odirile Tamajobe is Managing Director of Liquid Intelligent Botswana
