The initiative has garnered interest from prominent organizations such as Deloitte, BIHL, and Abaricom.
During the Future Smart Connected Mines Summit in Orapa, Debswana’s Head of Digital & Automation, Kabo Phetlhu, announced the establishment of the Debswana Digital Academy—a groundbreaking digital factory that will be the first of its kind in Botswana and serve as a regional benchmark.
Phetlhu emphasized that the academy will play a pivotal role in nurturing smart skills within Botswana, fostering the development of technologies like smart sensors, cloud components, and digital systems. This strategic move aims to position Botswana as a hub for next-generation technology and digital expertise.
The creation of the Debswana Digital Academy will be a collaborative effort, involving partnerships with various private sector players and stakeholders. Deloitte, in particular, has committed to investing $300,000 (over P4 million) to facilitate the development of this flagship initiative. The primary objective of this investment is to cultivate a talent pipeline for Debswana in priority areas.
The academy’s curriculum will focus on essential areas such as Data Governance, Digital Process Automation, Business Process Analysis, and Machine Learning, among others. By equipping individuals with these skills, Debswana aims to drive the digital transformation of the mining industry in Botswana and beyond.