The High Commission of India in Botswana, in collaboration with Pulaspace, will organise the AI4Botswana Summit on 24 January 2026 in Gaborone. The Summit is being convened as a preparatory engagement ahead of the India AI Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 19–20 February 2026 under the aegis of IndiaAI.
The AI4Botswana Summit aims to promote awareness, capacity building, and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in Botswana, with a particular focus on inclusive, gender-responsive, and community-driven applications. The Summit seeks to strengthen collaboration among government, academia, industry, startups, and the private sector, while providing practical learning and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, and innovators.
The programme will feature expert-led discussions, panel sessions, and live demonstrations highlighting real-world applications of AI in education, business, and social development. On the occasion, AI4Botswana.automate.co.bw, a digital community platform designed to connect AI startups and innovators in Botswana with counterparts in India and the wider global AI ecosystem, will be formally launched. The Summit will also showcase select high-potential AI startups from Botswana, with a view to facilitating exposure to investment, partnerships, and global markets.
The AI4Botswana Summit reflects the growing cooperation between India and Botswana in emerging technologies, innovation, and skills development, and complements ongoing bilateral engagement in capacity building and digital transformation. The outcomes of the Summit are expected to contribute to strengthening India–Botswana linkages within the global AI ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner of India stated:
“India places strong emphasis on leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, for inclusive growth and capacity building. Initiatives such as the AI4Botswana Summit provide a useful platform to connect innovators, institutions, and ecosystems, and to deepen India–Botswana cooperation in emerging and future-oriented sectors. India’s approach to artificial intelligence is anchored in the principles of inclusivity, capacity building, and partnership across the Global South. Platforms such as the AI4Botswana Summit reflect our shared commitment to harnessing digital technologies for development, by strengthening South–South cooperation, empowering local innovation ecosystems, and ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are accessible, relevant, and people-centric.”
The High Commission of India and Pulaspace underscored the importance of such collaborative platforms in fostering innovation, enhancing digital skills, and supporting inclusive and sustainable development. Stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and civil society are encouraged to participate in the Summit and contribute to shaping Botswana’s AI-enabled future.