Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) is undergoing a strategic transformation from a traditional telecommunications entity to a leading digital e-commerce business.
This decisive move was part of the telecom’s 2022-2025 strategic plan, aimed to position the country’s premier digital services provider, focusing on e-health, e-learning, and fintech.
At the presentation of the company’s 2023/24 financial year results, BTCL’s Managing Director Anthony Masunga highlighted the importance of digital transformation in creating shareholder value.
“We have made significant investments in modernizing our network, building data centres, and improving our mobile services,” Masunga stated.
Meanwhile, the company’s financial performance has been strong, with revenue reaching to over $106 million, a 3 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax grew by 34.7 per cent, surpassing the $14 million mark post-pandemic, driven by increased fixed voice and mobile data service demand. Net profit rose to $11 million from $8 million the previous year.
The company continues to expand its mobile network and enhance service quality through new site construction and upgrades. Despite challenges like copper theft and vandalism, BTCL remains committed to delivering high-speed broadband by replacing copper infrastructure with advanced technologies.
Boitumelo Paya, who is the BTCL’s Chief Financial Officer noted the financial impact of copper theft, which cost the company over $1.1 million in 2023. However, the sale of the removed copper network raised $2.2 million, helping to mitigate these losses.
Since listing on the stock exchange in 2016, BTCL has paid $74 million in dividends to shareholders. The company, holding 16 per cent of the market share, is 54 per cent owned by the government of Botswana, with the remaining 46 per cent held by citizens and citizen-owned institutions.
The company’s strategic investments and dedicated human capital aim to drive Botswana into a future of digital innovation and connectivity, ensuring sustainable value for all stakeholders.
BTCL is committed to making smart investments and offering high-quality, affordable services. The strategy aims to boost revenue by targeting specific customer groups and leveraging cost savings to enhance profitability by 2025. A significant part of this transformation involves upgrading BTCL’s network infrastructure to provide nationwide high-speed internet services.
