Vision

To be the leading African destination for innovative businesses.

Mission

To provide an attractive location for technology-driven and knowledge-intensive businesses to develop, and to compete in the global market.

Values

Our organisation is guided by a set of values based on professionalism, integrity, efficiency, with the customer at the centre of all that we do.

The BIH Concept

When fully developed, the BIH will consist of world class facilities including state-of the- art telecommunications infrastructure with high capacity international connectivity and secured power, professional business services, and business development services. The business services will allow companies to concentrate on their core business and outsource the rest. The development programmes, together with the support for R&D and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship, will make BIH an ideal place for business development. The image and the branding of the Botswana Innovation Hub is also an essential part of the concept.

BIH Focus Sectors and Tenant Criteria

Botswana Innovation Hub welcomes local and foreign businesses, research and advanced training institutes with activities in the following sectors:

• Information and Communications Technology;
• Mining Technologies;
• Energy and environment;
• Biotechnology;

Strategic Location

BIH will be established in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana and centre of the country’s business activity. Over 50 % of the country’s population live in and around Gaborone. The BIH is located strategically near the international airport and close to the highway that connects Botswana to South-Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. About 57 hectares of land, adjacent to the Diamond Hub has been secured for the first phase of the project from this developing area.

Special Incentives

• 15% corporate Tax
• Flexibility in importing labour
• A Competitive Telecommunications Package
• Training Grant - 50% reimbursement on training costs
• The Innovation Fund
• Graduate Internship Scheme
• Access to Venture Capital and Local Equity Partners

High quality and effective office solutions

The premises of BIH will be designed based on four main principles: orientation to high-tech customers, flexibility, ample commonuse premises/shared facilities and use of environmentallyfriendly technologies. For large companies, BIH will offer tailor-made solutions, with high standards of security and data connections. Smaller companies can enjoy high quality flexible premises that will match their development needs.

Wide range of business services

BIH services are being designed to support tenants’ competitiveness by allowing them to concentrate on their core business. All services will be offered through the BIH Management and will include advanced telecommunications infrastructure and services, HR services and business development services, to mention but a few. BIH will regularly develop a range of services based on companies’ needs and feedback.

A place for innovation and technology transfer

BIH is being established as the place where research, education, private businesses and the public sector meet and work together to foster innovation and new business. Jointly with the Universities, BIH is also planning for training programs based on the needs of private sector.

A platform for networking and interaction

BIH premises will be designed in a way that is conducive to networking and collaboration (through shared use of meeting rooms, conference services, test beds, recreational facilities and restaurants).

Being part of the BIH community and actively participating in our networking events, companies will have access to up-to-date information and will have the opportunity to build quality business connections.

Timelines

The BIH infrastructure works have started. The first buildings are expected to be ready for occupancy in early 2012. Companies have two options: either rent the office space or lease plot. Plots are available for lease. However, foreign and local companies interested in bringing their business to BIH may register immediately, operate from temporary premises and enjoy the incentives. BIH has also started the networking, clustering and business development activities.