Chinese technology giant Huawei has signed a three-year cooperation agreement with the Botswana government covering artificial intelligence, internet connectivity, digital education and technology development, without committing a specified amount of money to the country's digital transformation programme.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the Ministry of Communications and Innovation and Huawei Technologies (Botswana) Proprietary Limited, establishes a framework for cooperation towards the government's digital ambitions under Vision 2036.
However, it contains no binding financial commitment, with both parties expected to bear their respective implementation costs. It also states that the arrangement does not constitute a government procurement commitment to Huawei.
The agreement was concluded during President Duma Boko's state visit to China, where Botswana has been seeking stronger economic and technological cooperation with Beijing.
Boko visited Huawei's Beijing Research Institute, where his delegation was shown applications in cloud computing, smart education, telemedicine, public security and artificial intelligence.
He said Botswana was seeking a technology partner capable of improving essential government services, particularly education and public security.
"We look forward to a department as capable as yourselves to assist us in this process because once we do this, it is not only about making education accessible and fun but those who are already making it happen can be very easily, efficiently and seamlessly updated," Boko said.
He also expressed interest in using advanced technology to improve policing.
"The commissioner of Police is here. She is eager, she is anxious to have these capabilities deployed," he said, referring to artificial intelligence-driven public security technologies demonstrated during the visit.
Under the agreement, Huawei and the government will collaborate on aligning Botswana's digital transformation and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) roadmaps, expanding affordable internet connectivity to urban and rural communities, and establishing a unified higher education and research network.
The framework also provides for Huawei's support in developing Botswana's national Artificial Intelligence Policy and implementing digital literacy programmes.
A Joint Working Committee will identify priorities, coordinate projects and review progress. No project budgets, implementation timelines or specific financial contributions have been disclosed.
Future procurement decisions remain subject to applicable laws and procedures, meaning Huawei has not been guaranteed contracts arising from the partnership.
Huawei Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications Jeff Wang welcomed the framework, saying the company looked forward to cooperation in digital government, cloud computing, education, healthcare and artificial intelligence.
Huawei entered Botswana in 1998. Its activities include the Smart Village Project in Zutshwa, rural connectivity initiatives involving schools and healthcare facilities, and a 5G-enabled smart mining project at Jwaneng.
Its Seeds for the Future programme also sent five Botswana students to China this year.
The agreement comes as Botswana advances SmartBots, its national digital transformation strategy, to improve public services, expand internet access and develop a knowledge-based economy.
In his 2026 Budget Speech, Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe outlined plans to expand village connectivity and strengthen government digital services and infrastructure. Government reported that 52 public services were online, with another 179 undergoing integration testing.
It remains unclear which projects Huawei will undertake, whether financing agreements will follow or how government will fund activities identified by the committee.
President Xi Jinping also announced financial support for Botswana's economic transformation agenda, although the amount and terms remain undisclosed. There is no indication that the Huawei arrangement forms part of that assistance.
The MoU takes effect upon signature and may be renewed by mutual agreement.
