BTC banks on aggressive digital transformation

STAFF WRITER

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has recommitted to continuing its digital transformation so as spur economic growth.

In its recently released results for the financial year ending March 31, 2022, the company directors declared: “We are embarking on the digitalisation journey, cutting right across the business from operations and processes and leading to enhanced end user experience. We currently o­ffer multiple digital touchpoints on the website, mobile application, USSD codes and the SMEGA financial services. Going forward we will be focused on o­ffering converged touchpoints to allow customers to fully transact across the business. We are optimistic that the refreshed strategy will leverage on our upgraded technology platforms and continue to provide returns”.

They further promised to enhance customer experience through better services.

“We continue to forge strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and believe that we can play an important role in the development of Botswana and in transforming the business landscape. As a business, the company’s strategic focus for the next few years is to improve our customer experience through improved service off­erings and seamless interaction with clients,” they said. 

In the period under review, the company’s operational performance remained resilient with EBITDA growth during the year reflecting the increased demand for products due to the stability and reliability of network infrastructure.

The directors said they continued to invest in strategic growth areas and met their forecast in the mobile data and broadband o­fferings.

“Our investments included upgrading the mobile network to 4.5G (LTE-A) coverage across the country, rolling out the fibre connectivity upgrades and renewing the VSAT platform, leading to connectivity anywhere in Botswana. Furthermore, the various technology platforms enable us to connect customers across multiple technologies, products and off­erings, thus giving us capability to defend and increase our customer base. Some of our key customer segments are taking advantage of this benefit and are utilising a full suite of our products,” said BTC leadership.

BTC reported a two percent decline in revenue to P1.392 billion for the year with the decrease in voice revenues being mainly o­ffset by growth in the data business.

“EBITDA increased by 3% with margin expansion of 170 basis points due to tight cost management. The cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period of P520 million, are up 43%, driven by improved EBITDA and lower capital expenditure payments,” said the company lead by Anthony Masunga as Managing Director and Lorato Boakgomo-Ntakhwana as chairperson of the Board.   

The directors anticipate a tough operating environment on the back of rising local inflation and increasing international commodity prices.

The Board has declared a final dividend of 5.04 thebe per share for the year ended 31 March 2022.