- Tsaone Segaetsho
While a recent report by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) indicates that mobile penetration in the country stands at an impressive 176 per cent, mobile operator Mascom has highlighted a persistent digital inclusion gap.
According to the company, an estimated 500,000 Batswana still lack access to smartphones.
In response, Mascom has launched an initiative aimed at easing access to smartphones as part of its broader mission to drive digital inclusion across Botswana.
Mascom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer, Kolubah Flomo, underscored the urgency of addressing this digital divide, describing it as a “stubborn barrier to economic participation and social mobility.” Citing BOCRA’s latest data, Flomo noted that although mobile penetration exceeds 170 per cent, only 49 per cent of devices actively used on the network are smartphones. “This means that more than half of the population in Botswana still relies on basic mobile phones,” he said.
“This severely limits access to mobile-based digital services such as mobile banking, e-learning platforms, e-health tools and other resources that can significantly improve quality of life,” Flomo added.
He likened the current situation to “having roads without cars,” emphasising that digital infrastructure alone is not enough if people cannot access the tools required to utilise it. “In our quest to ensure digital citizenship, access to smart devices cannot remain a privilege… it must become a societal norm,” he said.
The new initiative, unveiled under the product name My Zaka Flexi, is a direct extension of Mascom’s mobile money service, My Zaka. It allows customers to borrow funds specifically for the purpose of purchasing a smartphone.
“My Zaka Flexi is Mascom’s tangible contribution to Botswana’s digital inclusion agenda. We are addressing a national challenge — the exclusion of thousands from meaningful participation in the digital economy,” said Flomo.
He also referenced Mascom’s corporate purpose, “Powering Connections that Inspire Change”, stating that the My Zaka Flexi initiative will enable young people to access digital education platforms, while also allowing farmers to connect to digital markets.
According to Flomo, My Zaka Flexi will facilitate more affordable smartphone ownership than ever before, helping Botswana join the digital revolution. The first device available through the scheme is the new Mascom H5111L model, which comes with 4GB RAM and is priced at approximately P79.99 per month over a 12-month period via My Zaka, with no collateral, interest or complex paperwork required.
Thao Gabathusi, Mascom’s Fintech Product Management Manager, added: “Now, a Mascom customer can wake up in the morning and own a smartphone by the end of the day.”
During the launch of My Zaka Flexi, fintech and digital inclusion expert Tavonga Mochuchuti of Xavier Africa praised Mascom’s broader role in closing the financial services gap through mobile money innovation. “Banks traditionally excluded many from financial services due to costly requirements such as proof of address. Most ordinary citizens couldn’t access loans, savings, investment tools or insurance products,” he explained.
He commended Mascom’s efforts, stating that mobile money platforms significantly narrowed the financial inclusion gap. “In the past, financial inclusion in Botswana was below 40 per cent. A recent survey shows that it now stands at 88 per cent,” he noted.
Mochuchuti concluded by applauding Mascom for extending its impact beyond financial services by enabling access to smartphones, a critical gateway to digital empowerment.
