Botswana Innovation Hub hosted a virtual SADC Innovation Challenge Country Finale Programme at the Science and Technology Park.

BIH coordinated an interactive online finale for the SADC Innovation Challenge which included participants from different African countries. Applicants were challenged to develop innovations that address key challenges that represent practical community problems, leveraging data and data analytics to design scalable solutions in the thematic areas of SMME Financing, Digital Financial Identity, Women & Savings and Access to basic services. Country winners were awarded cash prizes and incubation support, mentors and sector experts, through a series of webinars and design bootcamps as well as sponsorship to participate in the Grand Finale.

Congratulations to Botswana winners! Each team received $1,000 towards the development of their product or solution:

1. Thabiso Makaba - Money Chaps - Money app that offers users different tools to manage business and personal finances.

2. Tumisang Mogotsi - Kalafi Digital Health – An application that stores health information and analyse data for long-term health care outcome.

3. Thabi Bokete - Digital Diamond – An offline & online digital identification application that stores data to rapidly complete log book register, forms and KYC applications.

4. Titose Chembezi - Kwiky – A mobile application that offers credit extensions to SME's and informal sector business to address liquidity issues.

We look forward to seeing their solutions at the grand finale later in July 2020.