Technology company Utande recently gathered technology leaders and business executives for a signature event and networking session under the theme ‘Cybersecurity, Connectivity, and Digital Transformation: Botswana’s Levers for Economic Growth’, highlighting the company’s growing presence in Africa.
The dinner began with welcome remarks from Takudzwa Muradzi, the general manager of Utande, who gave a brief history of the company’s genesis, growth and expansion over the years.
The highlight of the programme was a panel discussion between Modiri Mogende and Never Ncube, the Chief Executive Officer of Utande. Ncube praised the fact that many countries in Africa are creating regulatory frameworks on cybersecurity and the protection of personal data.
He cited the fact that 21 out of 55 countries have signed the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (the ‘Malabo Convention’), which came into effect in June 2023.
Ncube also discussed the importance of a country being widely connected, emphasising that business today is all done in the digital space, thus making it crucial to adapt to be able to compete globally.
Ncube also discussed the importance of implementing cybersecurity measures within one’s business model to protect sensitive information and data.
According to him, the cost of having your organisation’s network hacked is threefold: firstly, the reputational cost from the damage that comes with your organisation’s data being stolen or leaked, secondly, the financial cost of ridding your organisation’s network of ransomware, and thirdly, the possibility that you may never be able to recover all of the data that was stolen or lost.
He highlighted that these obstacles create a great need for businesses and individuals today to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement these cybersecurity measures.
After a brief question and answer session, the programme ended with a closing remark from Utande’s Chief Operating Officer, Ignatius Mpando. In his remarks, he emphasised Mr Ncube’s words that all business is in the digital space, and if businesses do not embrace digital transformation, the chances of being able to compete are next to zero.