- An increase in mobile subscriptions
- The ICT Sector pivotal in shaping the economic
Statistics Botswana’s recent report unveils a significant transformation in Botswana’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) landscape.
Released in the second quarter of 2023, the report is comprehensive in that it encompasses several aspects, including fixed and mobile telephone subscriptions, internet usage, mobile money, and telephone traffic. According to the report, mobile cellular telephone subscriptions experienced a notable 1.1 percent increase in Q2 2023, reaching 4,428,276, contrasting with the slight 0.4 percent dip in fixed telephone line subscriptions. The data indicates a continued reliance on mobile communication in Botswana.
It further notes that Botswana witnessed a 3.3 percent increase in total internet subscriptions during Q2 2023. Both mobile and fixed internet subscriptions contributed to this growth, with a 3.2 percent increase in mobile internet subscriptions and a 4.5 percent rise in fixed internet subscriptions. Mobile money subscriptions, a key player in Botswana’s financial technology, experienced a 3.3 percent increase, reaching 1,741,124 in Q2 2023. This the report explains came as the convenience and accessibility of mobile money services provided by Smega, Orange Money, Myzaka, and Poso Money continue to capture the market.
According to the report, telephone traffic patterns offer intriguing insights. While on-net fixed telephone domestic calls decreased by 9.2 percent, off-net fixed telephone domestic calls saw a 6.7 percent increase. In mobile telephone traffic, on-net calls rose by 2.0 percent, but off-net calls and mobile-to-fixed calls experienced declines. The ICT sector constituted 2.5 percent of Botswana’s total GDP in Q2 2023. At constant prices, the report indicates that the sector demonstrated an annual growth rate of 3.7 percent, underscoring its significance in the country’s economic landscape. The Q2 2023 ICT statistics for Botswana depict a nation embracing technological evolution. As mobile subscriptions and internet usage soar, and mobile money gains traction, it highlights that the country’s ICT sector remains a pivotal force in shaping economic progress and fostering connectivity.
