Last weekend I drove with my brother in law to his farm, not exactly deep into the dry cattle country, but rural enough for donkey carts to still share the road with cars, and for herd-boys to spend long dusty hours trailing cattle across the bush.
In the back seat of the bakkie was something his farm workers urgently needed. Not animal feed. Not fencing wire. Not paraffin. A smartphone.
Botswana is changing rapidly, and herd-boys now carry smartphones in the same pockets that once carried only slingshots and tobacco. Mobile phones have become wallets, offices and entertainment centers all at once and government services are moving online. Even the farm workers in the remotest parts of Botswana are becoming unlikely pawns in a growing geopolitical contest.
As Botswana races deeper into the digital age, China and the United States of America are increasingly competing for control over the infrastructure, systems and data that will shape the country’s future.
For decades, Botswana’s greatest strategic asset was diamonds. Today, it is becoming apparent that the country possesses another resource just as valuable in the age of artificial intelligence. Data.
Every day, millions of pieces of information are generated across Botswana; financial transactions, health records, mobile phone activity, internet usage, consumer behavior and government data.
Artificial intelligence systems rely heavily on enormous volumes of such information to learn, improve and generate economic value. Thar reality is transforming data into an economic asset. And increasingly, powerful countries are competing for influence over Africa’s digital future.
This week at the Huawei ICT Congress 2026 in Gaborone, Chinese technology giant Huawei made clear that Botswana is central to its ambitions in the region. Huawei Botswana Managing Director Li Dalu told delegates that Botswana has the potential to become a regional technology and AI hub.
Botswana has made meaningful progress in building a resilient digital ecosystem, supported by strong mobile connectivity, expanding broadband access, and increasing adoption of digital services. Huawei is proud to have contributed to this progress through the delivery of reliable network infrastructure, cloud platforms, enterprise solutions, and skills development initiatives.
However, the next phase requires a shift in focus. The conversation is no longer only about connectivity, but about intelligence, value creation, and the effective use of data and emerging technologies.
Li Dalu further said, ‘Our shared ambition is to support Botswana in strengthening its position as a competitive technology and AI hub within the region, underpinned by robust infrastructure, innovation and local expertise’, he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong echoed the message. ‘Looking ahead, China and Botswana can deepen cooperation in intelligent infrastructure, digital power, and talent development’ he said at the congress.
Speaking at the same event, Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Shawn Ntlhaile said, ‘the ‘Age of Intelligence’ demands bold leadership, innovative thinking, and enduring partnerships. Botswana’s digital transformation strategy is clear, our political will is resolute, and our doors are open to collaboration.’
Ntlhaile further stated that, ‘Today’s Huawei ICT Congress 2026 provides exactly the kind of collaborative platform and strategic alignment we need to accelerate our national digital blueprint.’
The speeches reflected China’s growing interest in Africa’s digital future and Botswana’s desire to position itself as a modern technology driven nation.
But China is not the only major power deepening its strategic interest in Botswana’s information systems.
Over the past decade, Huawei has steadily expanded its footprint across Botswana and the African continent. The company has been involved in telecommunications infrastructure, broadband expansion, ICT training programmes and technology partnerships. Botswana officials have frequently praised Huawei for supporting digital transformation initiatives and skills development.
For many African governments, Chinese companies offer something attractive; relatively affordable technology, financing and rapid deployment. The Botswana government sees digital transformation as critical to diversifying the economy beyond diamonds.
Artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital infrastructure are increasingly viewed as possible engines of future growth. But Huawei’s global role remains controversial.
The United States government and several Western allies have repeatedly expressed concern about Huawei’s involvement in sensitive telecommunications infrastructure, arguing that Chinese technology could potentially expose countries to security vulnerabilities. Huawei has consistently denied allegations that it poses security risks or acts on behalf of the Chinese state. Botswana has not publicly embraced western efforts to isolate Huawei. Instead, cooperation between Botswana and Chinese technology firms appears to be expanding.
Yet some analysts warn that dependence on foreign owned digital systems may eventually create new forms of dependency.
‘The issue is not simply about internet infrastructure anymore’ said one local ICT analyst. ‘its about who stores the data and who controls the systems that future economies will rely on.
America’s growing interest in Health Data
At the same time China expands its digital infrastructure presence, the United States has also been deepening strategic cooperation with Botswana, particularly in health security.
That relationship became controversial following debate around the America First Global Health Strategy partnership agreement between Botswana and the United States. Government defended the agreement as part of a broader international cooperation on health security, disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness. However critics, including the Southern African Litigation Center (SALC) raised concerns about aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.
SALC questioned provisions relating to access, storage and control of health information and pathogen specimens. Critics argued that the agreement could potentially allow the United States access to sensitive national health data and biological materials over an extended period.
The concerns triggered broader debate about sovereignty, transparency and long-term control over strategic national assets.
For powerful nations, access to such information can fuel scientific breakthroughs, vaccine development and commercial research and advanced AI systems
For smaller nations like Botswana, the fear is that valuable national resources could quietly leave the country with little long-term benefits returning to ordinary citizens
Government has maintained that international cooperation is necessary to strengthen Botswana’s health systems and improve preparedness for future pandemics. But critics argue that agreements involving sensitive national data require stronger public scrutiny. That Botswana risk a surrendering too much control over sensitive national assets.
The controversy reflects a larger global reality. In the modern world, health information and biological data are increasingly valuable not only for medicine, but also for biotechnology research, pharmaceutical development and artificial intelligence systems. Countries and corporations around the world are investing heavily in data-driven technologies capable of transforming industries ranging from healthcare to finance and security.
What is happening in Botswana mirrors a broader global race unfolding across Africa. In the 19th century, powerful nations competed for African land and minerals. Today, the competition is increasingly focused on digital infrastructure, rare minerals, biotechnology and data. China builds telecommunications networks, smart cities and surveillance systems across the continent.
The United States focuses heavily on health partnerships, cybersecurity and strategic diplomacy. Both powers frame their involvement as partnership and development. Both insist they are helping Africa modernize. But many African intellectuals warn that the continent risks becoming trapped in a new form of dependency, not colonial control through armies but technological dependency through infrastructure, data and digital systems.
Botswana now finds itself balancing between those competing global interests.
On one side stands China offering AI systems. Cloud computing and digital infrastructure through companies like Huawei.
On the other stands America, increasingly interested in health security, strategic partnerships and scientific collaboration. Both want influence and access.
Botswana’s attraction to global technology powers is not accidental. Compared to many countries in the region, Botswana offers political stability, relatively strong institutions and growing digital infrastructure.
Government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of innovation and digital transformation in national development planning.
Mobile phone penetration is high, internet access has expanded significantly and digital financial services continue to grow.