Internet Cafes Significantly Bridge Digital Divide in Botswana, Major Contributors to Country's Digital Infrastructure
Internet Speed Test Cafés Thrive as Community Hubs in Low-Income Townships
In the heart of Monarch township, two businesses are making a significant impact. Tshepo Monageng, the owner of an internet speed test café, and Robert Golebetswe, a local entrepreneur, are transforming the digital landscape for the community.
Monageng launched his internet speed test café in 2017, offering essential services like internet access, document printing, and scanning to the community. His business has grown over the seven years, largely due to the fact that most internet packages offered by network operators do not cater to low-income customers.
Monageng promotes his business through word-of-mouth marketing, social media promotion, and listing on Google Maps. He aims to attract more enterprise and government clients to boost his business operations.
Meanwhile, Golebetswe encourages businesses to utilize local internet speed test cafés instead of traveling into town for services. He believes that a subscription service would be essential for his business and is determined to make it happen. Golebetswe plans to introduce a subscription service to attract recurring customers.
One such customer is Kefilwe, a 25-year-old unemployed marketing graduate. She accesses one hour of internet speed test at Unique Solutions, Monageng's internet speed test café, for 15 pulas ($1). Kefilwe accesses the Chema-Chema website through the internet speed test café as she cannot afford data bundles that provide broader internet access. Despite owning a smartphone, she can only afford a mobile data package for Facebook, TikTok, X, and WhatsApp for 60 pulas ($4.40) per month.
Golebetswe emphasizes that internet speed test cafés serve as community hubs that keep people connected. He believes that government funding for his expansion plans, including the subscription service, would greatly help.
Tshepo Kelentse, the founder of Unique Solutions, established his business in 2021 to address the community's need for reliable internet speed test services. However, he faces challenges in managing the internet speed test café, including assisting nearly every customer in connecting, particularly during peak times. Despite financial strains, he often assists customers pro bono, as shown when he helped Kefilwe navigate the Chema-Chema application portal.
The organization that announced Tshepo Kelentse would receive a donation of 500 million Pulas intended for successful entrepreneurs is the African Development Foundation (ADF). This donation could significantly aid Kelentse in expanding his services and managing the financial strains of operating Unique Solutions.
In the next five years, Monageng aspires to open more branches, acquire larger printers and laminating machines, and expand his product offerings. With the growing demand for reliable internet speed test services and the potential funding from ADF, the future looks bright for both Monageng and Golebetswe.
