Project Details


WSIS Prizes Contest 2023 Nominee

Mascom Kitsong Centre (Telecentres)


Description

The Mascom Kitsong Centers programme's objectives are :

 - To contribute to the ICT sector and respond to the global need of transforming small villages into knowledge based economies.

 - To empower unemployed youth by giving them a business to operate.
Village Selection

The program has created employment for the Kitsong Centre operators and some of them have even hired assistants. Most of the communities like the local Police officers, tribal administration offices and Village Development Committees have been exposed and trained on ICT . Some operators have also offered free ICT training to Primary School students at their villages.

Project website

https://www.mascom.bw/mascom-kitsong-centres/


Images

Action lines related to this project
  • AL C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development 2023
  • AL C3. Access to information and knowledge
  • AL C7. E-government
  • AL C7. E-learning
  • AL C7. E-agriculture
Sustainable development goals related to this project
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Coverage
  • 110 remote areas in Botswana, Botswana

Status

Ongoing

Start date

2009

End date

Not set


Target beneficiary group(s)
  • Youth
  • The unemployed
  • Remote and rural communities

Replicability

The project can be replicated at any village where there's 3G+ network and electricity . There also has to be enough population to utilize the facility.


Sustainability

1. e-Government Services
There are areas across Botswana where there are no certain government offices. The plan is to engage with the government to make these services accessible through Kitsong Centres. e.g. Renewal of Vehicle Registration license, Registration of Driver's license tests. The demand for government services at remote areas is very high and Kitsong Centers will play a vital role is saving the communities time and money to travel to urban areas for these services.

2. Kitsong Centers Support
They share a support system that keeps them going. The operators motivate each other and share innovative ideas of how to keep the center running. Those who came up with new initiatives to bring in more revenue usually shares with others to help them sustain their centers financially.

3. Information Centers
Kitsong Centers will also serve as information centers where tourists and visitors from neighboring information can get information about places of interests, scheduled visits by government officials and mobile health team visiting the area.

4. e-Learning
At remote areas there are still a lot of people who are not learned or who would like to study certain courses through distance learning. Kitsong Centers can be used by students to type assignments, communicate with lectures and get results. This will help improve education among communities and help them get employment.


WSIS values promotion

Mascom acknowledges that everyone has the equal right to be aware of ICT and be connected to have an opportunity to use ICT to generate income, combat poverty, ill health and most importantly to enhance literacy regardless of the location. Mascom has shared the responsibility of partnering with the Government by taking ICT to rural areas to contribute to the ICT sector and respond to the global need of transforming small villages into knowledge based economies.


Entity name

Mascom Wireless

Entity country—type

Botswana Private Sector

Entity website

https://www.mascom.bw/

Partners

Botswana Government