BOCRA and BTC recognize young innovators in agriculture-focused hackathon

The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), in collaboration with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), has hosted a groundbreaking hackathon aimed at leveraging digital innovation to transform the agricultural sector. The hackathon, sponsored by the Universal Access and Service Fund (UASF), brought together some of Botswana’s brightest young minds, challenging them to develop cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

The competition culminated in an exciting award ceremony, where the top 10 finalists were recognized for their innovative proposals. The grand prize winner walked away with an impressive P50,000 cash prize, along with a P5,000 monthly subsistence allowance per team for the duration of the hackathon. Additionally, their idea will be incubated by BTC and prepared for commercialization, ensuring that their innovation can make a real impact on the agricultural sector.

Other winners were also handsomely rewarded for their efforts. The second-place team received P30,000, while the third-place winner took home P20,000. The fourth and fifth-place winners were awarded P10,000 and P5,000, respectively. In addition, all 10 finalists were granted a full year of internet connectivity, further enabling them to continue developing their solutions and expanding their digital skills.

The prestigious event was attended by notable figures, including the UASF Board Chairman, BOCRA Chief Executive, BTC Acting CEO, and BOCRA Executive Management team, who all expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative. They emphasized the importance of fostering technological innovation in Botswana, particularly in key sectors like agriculture, which is central to the country’s economy.

By:  Kanto Okanta