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Botswana And MIT Sloan Partner To Drive Economic Growth

The Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan has entered a strategic partnership with the Government of Botswana to foster economic growth through innovation and technology. This collaboration aims to serve as a model for growth markets across Africa and beyond.
The five-year initiative will include fellowships for African entrepreneurs and students, AI-driven digital transformation, an MIT Sandbox program to promote entrepreneurship, and participation in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP).
“This collaboration with Botswana represents an opportunity not just for Botswana, but for Africa as a whole,” said Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the Legatum Center at MIT. “we aim to unlock potential by fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that will aid in transitioning the nation from reliance on natural mineral resources to a knowledge-based economy, with the power to transform lives and drive economic growth.”
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The Legatum Center has so far supported more than 326 Student Fellows from 57 countries who have established 286 ventures, of which 75% are currently operating, and have engaged with more than 36 Foundry Fellows from Botswana, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia. More than 17,000 direct jobs and over 17 million customers in more than 170 countries have been created by these ventures.
“The Government of Botswana seeks to develop its national economy through continuous innovation and enhanced value chains that not only allow for regional integration, but accentuate global competitiveness,” said Kabelo A. Ebineng, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Entrepreneurship for Botswana.
The seeds for this partnership were sown during an April 2024 delegation visit, where representatives from Botswana met with MIT Sloan to align their vision. “As Botswana forges ahead with its aspirations of being a high-income country on the back of innovation-driven enterprise, we are delighted to collaborate with MIT Sloan in equipping and facilitating the required transformation effort,” said Ebineng.