Leading cement manufacturing company PPC Botswana has endorsed the development of smart cities in Botswana and has worked on a development strategy.
Speaking during the recently held PPC Botswana Masterclass that was attended by industry captains and decision-makers, the cement manufacturer’s Head of Business Unit Tuelo Botlhole said, “smarter cities can alleviate Botswana’s urban challenges by delivering a higher quality of life and enabling economic growth through technology, and creative thinking.
As PPC Botswana, part of our strategy is to increase distribution reach in remote areas and use environmentally friendly products in manufacturing which will drive growth in the long term. Besides, the long-term vision of using green fuels and being carbon negative too bodes well for growth”.
The PPC Botswana Head of Unit further stated that Botswana stands to gain a strong position within Africa and the world as a ‘Smart Society’ mentioning that this will result in improved quality of life for Batswana, business opportunities, and a governance model that engages better to serve Batswana.
“PPC Botswana is capable of being a driver in building these cities as we have done in the setting up of infrastructure. Research shows that a smart city’s main strategic element is sustainability to look for participation drivers, create better consumption habits and better energy management, and use renewable energies for the preservation of natural resources and environmental care”.
PPC Botswana has previously played a role in building some of the iconic structures in the country such as the Mohembo bridge, Boatle Game City Road, iTowers and the Obed Itani Chilume stadium.
Recently it was reported that the Botswana government is working on developing Francistown and Maun into smart cities. This is a strategic move that will unlock new value frontiers in these two places, the economy will boom and there will be a lot of employment opportunities. Globally several countries such as Estonia, Canada and Britain have managed to attain the smart cities goal, this has catapulted the respective countries’ economies to greater heights. Studies indicate that smart cities optimize a city’s functions and promote economic growth while also improving the quality of life for citizens.
Botlhole went on to talk about decarbonatization stating that PPC Botswana has also worked on a strategic approach plan, “PPC Botswana recognizes the global threat of climate change. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and committed to participating in the collective actions needed to address key barriers to decarbonization. Our ambition is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Our commitment to this ambition is evident from the way our board and the executive team remained focused on developing our climate change strategy over the past period”.
Industry captains and decision-makers were in agreement with PPC Botswana’s strategic moves, they agreed to get into partnerships that will take the country to greater heights.
