Category: Development

Emerging frontier technologies are accelerating industrial applications, with the development of future industries becoming a powerful engine for new quality productive forces in the new era, according to officials and experts.

Officials and experts from various sectors shared their views on this topic during the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

Liu Dongmei, Party secretary of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, said that in recent years, various frontier technologies have experienced rapid development.

In fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum information and biomanufacturing, China has entered a new phase characterized by a mix of leading in some areas and keeping pace with global counterparts, she added.

Liu noted that China has formed a relatively mature development pattern featuring breakthroughs in basic research, accumulated core technologies, large-scale industrial applications, and a growing voice in international competition.

China’s AI sector ranks among the global top tier, said Liu, noting that the number of downloads for open-source large models provided by Chinese enterprises in 2025 ranked first globally according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Liu Hui, head of a research institute with JD.com, said that as a technology and service company built on supply chain capabilities, new technologies serve as the fundamental driving force for the company’s growth. He noted that the company has deployed 50,000 internal agents, or “digital colleagues,” to help improve efficiency.

Zhai Tianrui, a deputy director of Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Committee, said that in 2025, the number of unicorn enterprises in Beijing reached 116, ranking first among Chinese cities and third globally in both number and valuation.

Beijing’s unicorn enterprises span 11 industries, with the largest number in the AI sector, he added.

After dragging on for years, the refurbishment of the old Maun General Hospital is expected to be concluded soon.

This derives from a recent visit by a team from the Ministry of Health that conducted an assessment to determine what could be done to push the project to completion, thus ensuring that the facility begins to serve its intended purpose.

The refurbishment of the facility, which is expected to serve as a referral hospital, stalled since 2017 due to various factors including the contractor abandoning site, vandalism of completed works and break-ins.

The project was anticipated to take approximately one year but it was reported to be stuck at 90 per cent completion and the delays caused frustration among North West District leadership, some of whom called for the termination of the contract since the company engaged had failed to meet the July 2018 deadline.

In an interview, Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital superintendent, Dr Lebogang Mokotedi confirmed that a team from the ministry visited the facility to conduct an assessment to determine what was required to complete the project.

She said the visit was a positive move as, once in use, the facility would decongest the 270-bed Letsholathebe Hospital which was currently facing high demand as it served the North West, Okavango, Ghanzi and Boteti districts.

“With plans of transforming Maun into a green city and the discussions on the construction of a new airport, we need another health facility with more beds to alleviate pressure on the existing one,” she added.

Once completed, the facility will also help reduce the distance travelled by residents to access specialised services. Services to be offered will include general out-patient, maternity, dental services, sexual reproductive health, minor theatre services, radiology and isolation facilities.

Meanwhile, some residents of Maun have complained that the old Maun General Hospital had been neglected since the commissioning of the Letsholathebe Hospital in 2008. They complained about the poor state of the facility saying it was posing a danger to the lives of patients and workers.

When government took a decision to renovate the facility, residents were hopeful that the project would be completed on time, a dream that did not materialise. One of the residents, Mr John Benn attested that the facility had been neglected for long, exposing it to vandalism.

“When government took a decision to renovate the facility, we had high hopes that it would reduce congestion at Letsholathebe Hospital which is currently overwhelmed, but the lack of progress with the project is disappointing,” he added.

Kgomokasitwa residents and other villages in the Moshupa District can look forward to improved connectivity and economic opportunities, as the government has awarded a contract for the construction of the 60-kilometre Digawana-Molapowabojang-Kgomokasitwa-Magotlhwane-Ntlhantlhe road at a cost of P558.2 million.

The announcement was made by Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang during a kgotla meeting in Kgomokasitwa on Thursday, who confirmed that the project has been awarded to SteelBase Construction (Pty) Ltd.

Mr Atamelang noted that the new paved road would bring substantial benefits, including better service delivery to communities along the route and the creation of employment opportunities for local residents during construction and beyond.

However, he said his ministry continues to grapple with persistent challenges in road development, such as delays caused by some land owners refusing to grant right-of-way for projects, as well as slow relocation of utility services by relevant departments from proposed routes.

Residents, for their part, welcomed the announcement, expressing appreciation for the long-awaited upgrade. They urged authorities to grade the existing road in the interim to ease current mobility difficulties while construction preparations were underway.

Following the address, Mr Atamelang conducted a site inspection, touring the section of the road from Kgomokasitwa to Tshweneyagae to assess its present condition and better understand community needs.

This project underscores the government’s commitment to addressing infrastructure gaps in rural areas, with the new road expected to improve access, boost trade, and support overall development in the Moshupa District and surrounding regions.

Government has priotitised the construction of roads connecting villages with production units.

According to Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Mr Noah Salake, some of the roads incorporated in the National Development Plan (NDP) 12 was the tarring of the Rasesa-Lentsweletau-Diphuduhudu road and the Lentsweletau-Medie road. 

Addressing Lentsweletau residents recently, Mr Salakae also confirmed that one of the roads in need of attention included the 47km Metsimotlhabe-Kopong-Lentsweletau tarred road, which was considered for resealing. 

Earlier on, Lentsweletau/Lephepe Member of Parliament, Mr Tshenolo Bogatsu had raised a concern on the status of roads in his area of jurisdiction. He said the road network in the constituency was dominated by gravel roads, which affected economic prospects, among other things.

Mr Bogatsu cited the Kopong-Gaborone North road and Kopong-Bokaa road as some of the projects, which could have been incorporated in NDP 12, as they served as linkages between production areas 

He said the Kopong-Bokaa road had the potential to spur economic growth by linking villages in production areas with other economic drivers and enabled residents to create employment or establishing businesses along the route. 

However, he said he was hopeful that with the potential to reopen the Medie Coal Mine in the near future, the area’s economic activities would get desired injection for growth and improve livelihoods.

As such, he called on government to consider expanding the railway line infrastructure by constructing a railway line connecting Medie mine with the main line in Artesia. He said the railway line could be an alternative route for transporting coal to reduce damages on the road by trucks on the Letsweletau-Medie road.

For his part, Medie/Kweneng Ward councillor, Mr Letsholathebe Legodi shared the same sentiments with the area MP on the state of Lentsweletau-Medie road. 

He said trucks, which used to ferry coal from Medie mine, impacted the road surface, adding that dust from the road was equally a health hazard to the community, a challenge to crop production as well as general being of the environment.

Mr Legodi said motorists and public transporters were also affected by the status of the road, adding that the Medie-Kweneng gravel road was in need for regular grading to improve its current condition.

Lentsweletau Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Charles Mathupi appealed to Minister Salakae for provision of funding to patch potholes, instal streetlights and remarking of the Lentsweletau-Kgope and Lentsweletau-Dikgatlhong roads.

Mr Mathupi also said there was need for the construction of a bus rank in Lentsweletau.

He further said while there was shortage of public transport along the Lentsweletau-Gaborone route, the Department of Road Transport Services had indicated that it was not possible to issue new permits for the route as all time slots were taken. 

Failure to enforce contractual guidelines by relevant officials has contributed to the slow pace of developments in Kgalagadi North, says the area MP.

Mr Reason Lekutlane said delayed projects under local and central governments continued to hinder socio-economic development in the district.

He made the remarks during a consultative constituency kgotla meeting in Maake recently, where he cited poor contract management by engineers and technicians responsible for overseeing projects, as being among reasons for inefficiency.

Excessive leniency toward non-performing contractors, he said, had resulted in stalled projects and increased costs for government.

“There are clear guidelines outlined in contracts, but our own personnel often become too lenient even when contractors are not complying. This ends up costing government and setting the district back,” he said.

Mr Lekutlane expressed concern that prolonged project delays had negatively affected the livelihoods of residents while placing a heavy financial burden on government.

To address the situation, the MPs constituency office is developing a programme aimed at strengthening project oversight, accountability and compliance.

Beyond that, the MP said he had established a District Development Database that captured all ongoing and outstanding projects in Kgalagadi North. The database, will assist to track progress, identify challenges and in making informed recommendations to accelerate project completion.

Mr Lekutlane underscored that projects that had stalled for more than six years should not exist because there were set procedures to be followed in dealing with contractors who failed to meet their contractual obligations.

Responding to residents’ requests for two additional council seats for Maake wards, Mr Lekhutlane explained that the matter fell under the mandate of the Delimitation Commission and advised residents to present their case when the commission visited the village.

Although the village’s population currently stands at about 500, a figure below the required 1,200 for a council seat, he noted that proximity to other villages could be considered.

Turning to road infrastructure, the MP described the condition of the Lehututu–Maake road ought to be graded while awaiting tarring. It is such poor conditions that he said demotivated public officers to work in the area and contributed to service delivery challenges, including water, electricity and staffing shortages.

Mr Lekutlane said more than 870 kilometres of roads in Kgalagadi North required upgrading, because improved road infrastructure was critical to uplifting communities and accelerating developments in the district.

Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Samuel Motlhaope, raised a concern that there was no dedicated ambulance that served the village, but currently relied on a double-cab van that was not suitable to transport patients.

Mr Motlhaope said the vehicle serviced Maake and Hunhukwe, a situation that often left the former without transport during emergencies.

He however commended the Hukuntsi District Council and Diamond Botswana for drilling a community borehole to provide water for livestock, a project that proved beneficial to the village.

Moshupa A10 Bridge, a vital transport link in southern Botswana, will remain closed for an additional 16 to 20 months, with completion scheduled between March and July, 2027. 

The bridge has been closed for more than a year due to structural failure, forcing motorists onto lengthy detours that have severely disrupted local trade, travel and public transport operations. 

In an interview, acting chief public relations officer at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Moemedi Matsoga, explained that reconstruction of the bridge’s embankment retaining walls was halted in November 2024 after contractors encountered a high underground water table. 

Mr Matsoga said the original plan to restore the embankment to its previous condition carried a high risk of future failure. Consequently, he said the existing contract was terminated in November 2024 to allow for a complete redesign and a new tender process. 

He added that a tender for consultancy services, which detailed investigations, design and construction supervision, was initially advertised, with consultants shortlisted on October 8, 2025 and the tender scheduled to close on October 22, 2025. 

However, he said the process was cancelled due to procedural errors. He said a new selective tender was approved on October 21, 2025 and revised documents were resubmitted for vetting on October 27, 2025. 

He further said the ministry was currently awaiting confirmation of the new tender timetable, including site visits and submission deadlines. 

Once appointed, Mr Matsoga said consultants would begin detailed investigations and remedial design work, where the project would proceed in two phases, including a three-month design phase followed by a 13-month construction phase, depending on the final design recommendations. 

Mr Matsoga emphasised that apart from the earlier tender cancellation, there were no major constraints at present. He said tender documents for the design phase were undergoing final vetting and would soon be issued to shortlisted bidders. 

In the meantime, he said motorists were advised to continue using alternative routes, including the Mogobane-Ranaka Road or through Moshupa village. 

Meanwhile, the prolonged delay has sparked widespread frustration among residents and businesses in the Southern District, who have urged the ministry to explore temporary bypass solutions. 

The ministry has assured the public that no shortcuts would be taken, stressing that a durable, long-term solution was the priority. 

Bus Operators Association chairperson, Mr Tirafalo Mponang, expressed disappointment at the latest extension, saying the new mid-2027 target had placed members in an impossible position. 

Mr Mponang said local operators in Moshupa had already lost substantial revenue because long-distance buses, now diverted through the village, were picking up passengers who would normally use their services. 

“We had been patiently waiting for the bridge to reopen. This latest postponement has left us at a crossroads once again,” he said. 

On other issues, Moshupa council chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe, announced that the internal village bridge, which collapsed earlier this year, would soon be reconstructed. 

Mr Sethibe said the council had secured funds from the road levy fund for the project and, given the approaching rainy season, had awarded the tender through an emergency procurement process. 

He confirmed that with the reconstruction work at tendering stage, the bridge was expected to start soon. 

Sekgoma Memorial Hospital Advisory Committee in Serowe has refurbished children’s playground to expedite healing and recovery.

Speaking during a handover ceremony of the facility to Sekgoma Memorial Hospital recently, Chief Registered Nurse Ms Mmabotswana Ramotlhala said the aim was to provide joy and comfort for hospitalised children, which were considered essential in the healing process.

She said the importance of allowing hospitalised children to experience play and fresh air outside the limits of hospital walls could not be overemphasised.

She observed that the bright colours and the chance to play outdoors provided patients with comfort and happiness, essential for their psychological and physical recovery.

“Kids often feel homesick, and being restricted to hospital walls intensifies the anxiety that they already experience. The playground acts as a re-charge area; patients will certainly value the time they spend there, where happiness and laughter are sure to be found during their hospital stay,” she said.

Chairperson of the Hospital Advisory Committee from Basimane boo Rra Boiditswe,Kgosi Kgalemo Nthutang,  commended the contributions of everyone engaged in the project, highlighting that the playground was renovated primarily due to its previous condition, which prevented patients from using it.

“We recognised the playground as an area of focus, as its lack of use resulted in hospitalised children being confined to the children’s ward, where the concrete walls continually reminded them of their distance from home comforts, which can be depressing for young minds,” said Kgosi Nthutang.

Kgosi Nthutang said they had engaged multiple stakeholders, including hospital staff, the community, and the private sector to offer support, leading to a playground that young patients would appreciate.

He also pointed out that the project aimed to remind the community to support the government, mentioning that certain initiatives do not require significant funding and could be accomplished through cooperation between the government and its citizens.

Moshupa District Council has been allocated P21, 330 000 from the Road Levy Fund to complete critical internal roads projects and procure essential plant equipment.

The announcement was made by council chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe, on Tuesday during the opening of the council meeting running from December 9 to 16.

Mr Sethibe informed the meeting that tenders for emergency works on Madutlela Road and repairs to a damaged section of Maseetsele Road in Moshupa closed on December 5, 2025, and were currently under evaluation. He emphasised that completing Madutlela Road was particularly urgent as it would restore access for residents and revive businesses severely affected by the road’s deterioration.

He added that the tender for culvert construction and road maintenance in Lekgolobotlo closed on December 4 and was also under evaluation. A tender for a culvert along Emang Junior School in Ntlhantlhe Village has been re-advertised and would close on December 18.

Other upcoming tenders include the supply and installation of solar streetlights in Moshupa, closing December 12, 2025 and the procurement of an excavator, closing December 19, both aimed at strengthening the council’s maintenance capacity and advancing renewable energy objectives, he said.

Construction of storm water drains and paving works in Mogonye is already underway, with physical progress at 15 percent.

Mr Sethibe described the P21.3 million allocation as a sacred trust from the community and pledged rigorous oversight to ensure value for money and durable infrastructure.

In Machana, he said four staff houses were under construction to replace the tents currently used to accommodate teachers. The project was being delivered through a public-private partnership with companies contracted by Debswana Mining Company under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Mr Sethibe expressed profound gratitude to Debswana for the initiative.

The Chairperson highlighted continued success under the Bonno Housing Scheme, noting that the first house built under the programme in the district was handed over to a beneficiary in Pitseng in November 2025.

Construction of additional units has now begun in Mogonye following a warm welcome by village leadership to the scheme’s investors.

“From providing decent accommodation for our teachers to enabling home ownership for our citizens, we are building the foundations for a more stable and prosperous district,” Mr Sethibe said.

He concluded that the combined efforts in roads, renewable energy, housing, and community infrastructure demonstrate a council that is actively delivering sustainable development on multiple fronts.

Councillor Omphemetse Moleele of Sesung-Seherelela Ward commended the Chairperson’s comprehensive report on ongoing and planned projects. 

However, he urged the council to prioritise support for community clusters rather than individual businesses, citing the example of the Motlopi Coffee project.

Cllr Moleele highlighted the untapped potential of salt pans and water pans in his ward, which he believes could be developed into large-scale salt processing and tourism attractions to boost the district economy. 

Bonno Housing Programme is on track in realising its mandate of providing affordable and dignified housing to citizens. 

Recently, Francistown City Council handed the first turnkey house at Gerald Estate  in Francistown West constituency. Speaking at the event Francistown Deputy Mayor, Uyapo Nyeku expressed gratitude towards all the stakeholders who were part of the completion of the first Bonno house in the city.

Mr Nyeku said the government housing scheme brings dignity to the people, further congratulating the beneficiary, Ms Thokozani Tafa for being the first in the constituency to receive the Bonno house.

BHC Project Quality Assurance Officer, Ms Lebogang Gaebolae said the project was delivered well within the stipulated time. She said construction began in August 2025 and completed in November 2025 which was within the four months of the project time frame.

Ms Gaebolae said the cost of the house, a turnkey Type A, was around P234,000 and the beneficiary would pay P90,000. She said they worked well with other stakeholders to ensure the project ran smoothly and was completed on time.

For her part, the beneficiary, Ms Tafa appreciated government for the Bonno Housing scheme which she said was important for providing affordable and dignified accommodation. 

Ministry of Water and Human Settlement on Friday unveiled 10 investors who will partner with government for the Bonno National Housing programme in Kgatleng District.

The programme is aimed at providing accessible and affordable housing for citizens across various income brackets.

Unveiling the investors in Mochudi recently, Assistant Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Motsamai Motsamai said government, through the national transformation agenda, prioritised private sector led investments.

He said such partnerships contributed to economic growth and well-being of the society. Conversely, he also said the initiative would further empower artisans by improving their skills in construction.

He commended investors for their trust and commitment to the vision, adding that building 100 000 housing units was such an ambitious initiative that needed the support of all.

Furthermore, Mr Motsamai commended Kgatleng District for responding swiftly to the programme by availing land and further implored district authorities to support the investors.

He said the housing units would provide decent and affordable housing for low income residents, adding that owning a home restored one’s dignity and offered some form of security especially for people who had always longed to own decent homes.

Meanwhile, Kgatleng Land Board acting deputy secretary, Mr Neo Rakodu said the 10 investors would construct housing units in all the three constituencies of Kgatleng Central, Kgatleng West and Kgatleng East covering 73 hectares of land for constructing a total of 1 162 plots.

He said Kgatleng District was ready for such developments and that the district had set up a team that would facilitate the investors.

Mr Rakodu said there were some negligible challenges in some parts of the district, but noted that overall, the programme was progressing well, with some plans approved, while some would be approved by November 20.

Bakgatla Deputy Chief Kgosi Bana Sekai commended government for ensuring that Kgatleng was not left out while specially elected councillor, Ms Kentse Mollentze said Bakgatla were ready for the housing units that would give the district a facelift.

She assured the investors of unwavering support from the district authorities and that they would ensure that hired artisans provided good workmanship.