27/08/2026
UNESCO COURTESY CALL TO STATISTICS BOTSWANA
Statistics Botswana today, 27 August 2026, hosted senior representatives from UNESCO and the Botswana National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) for a courtesy call held on the sidelines of the UNESCO-Korea Funds-in-Trust (KFIT) Digital Creativity Lab – Phase III Project.
The engagement brought together the Acting Statistician General, Dr LuckyMokgatlhe, UNESCO representatives, the Secretary General of NATCOM, Directors of Statistics and staff of Statistics Botswana.
The 24-month KFIT Digital Creativity Lab – Phase III Project seeks to strengthen Botswana’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) through improved sector data and digital mapping, enhanced digital and market-oriented skills, and evidence-based policy interventions aimed at creating a more competitive,sustainable and enabling creative ecosystem.
In his remarks, Dr Mokgatlhe noted that Botswana’s heavy reliance on diamonds underscores the urgent need to accelerate economic diversification. He emphasised that identifying and nurturing new economic sectors cannot be done haphazardly, but must be guided by credible, timely and comprehensive data.
He welcomed the focus on the Cultural and Creative Industries, noting that the sector has the potential to contribute to economic diversification, employment,entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth. However, he stressed that for the sector to receive the attention and investment it deserves, “we must first be able to measure it.”
The Acting Statistician General further highlighted the importance of ensuring that data generated through the digital mapping exercise is credible, policy relevant,disaggregated and aligned with national statistical standards. He also underscored the need for the initiative to contribute to a sustainable evidence base that can be integrated into Botswana’s broader National Statistical System beyond the lifespan of the project.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to discuss the technical alignment of the mapping methodology, sampling approaches, data management, classifications, indicators and quality-assurance requirements with national statistical standards.
Statistics Botswana welcomed the collaboration with UNESCO, NATCOM and other national partners, including the Ministry of Sport and Arts, University of Botswana and National Arts Council of Botswana, in strengthening the statistical foundation of Botswana’s Cultural and Creative Industries.
The initiative is expected to contribute to Botswana’s broader transformation priorities under Vision 2036 and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme, while ensuring that the country’s emerging creative economy is increasingly recognised, measured and supported through reliable statistical evidence.
