Mascom Wireless is looking to expand beyond mobile connectivity into cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital financial services as the telecommunications operator seeks new sources of growth in Botswana’s evolving technology market.
The company has already ventured into these areas through its Enterprise Cloud Solutions and MyZakaFlexiSure insurance offering. However, it has not disclosed how much it plans to invest in expanding its technology business or how much revenue it expects the services to generate.
Chief Executive Officer Makhwade-Seboni said the transition would build on Mascom’s existing network infrastructure while broadening the range of services available to consumers and corporate clients.
“Connectivity remains the foundation of our business, but the opportunity before us is to build on that foundation to deliver integrated, technology-enabled solutions that respond to the evolving needs of our customers and corporate clients,” she told the Business Weekly & Review.
Mascom’s Enterprise Cloud Solutions include private and hybrid cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, networking, data storage and computing resources. The services target organisations seeking to modernise their information technology systems without relying exclusively on infrastructure they own and maintain.
The company is also extending its mobile financial services through MyZaka FlexiSure, developed in partnership with Botswana Life Insurance Limited. The product integrates insurance with mobile financial services for eligible subscribers.
The expansion gives Mascom an opportunity to serve businesses and consumers beyond its traditional connectivity offering. However, the company has not provided a timeline for launching additional products or set out targets for growing its enterprise and digital services businesses.
Makhwade-Seboni said investment would focus on network performance, infrastructure resilience, security and technology development, with spending decisions guided by customer demand and the commercial sustainability of individual initiatives.
She declined to disclose investment figures or expenditure allocations.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are among the potential markets for Mascom’s expanding technology offering. The company believes connectivity, digital payments and technology-enabled services can help smaller businesses improve efficiency and reach new customers.
“Through reliable connectivity, digital financial services and technology-enabled solutions, we see an opportunity to help SMMEs operate more efficiently, reach new markets and compete with greater confidence,” Makhwade-Seboni said.
Mascom unveiled its refreshed brand identity on October 16 under the tagline “Always You”, presenting the change as part of its broader evolution from a telecommunications operator into a technology company.
The rollout includes a revamped Mascom Online portal and improvements to its retail outlets, including ticketing systems and dedicated customer-engagement spaces in selected shops.
Makhwade-Seboni said the company would seek to differentiate itself through its local market knowledge, network capabilities and ability to provide services such as cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity.
The challenge will be converting those capabilities into a larger, commercially sustainable technology business. Without disclosed investment commitments, revenue targets or a clear expansion timeline, the financial scale of Mascom’s ambitions remains uncertain.
The rebrand signals the direction of the company’s strategy. Its future investment decisions and commercial performance will determine how far it succeeds in moving beyond connectivity.
