Botswana Telecommunications Corporation

What Botswana Telecommunications Corporation does

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) is the state-owned national telecommunications operator of Botswana, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Gaborone. The company provides mobile services (4G/LTE including VoLTE), fixed landline telephony, broadband internet (DSL and fibre up to 300Mbps), and mobile financial services through its Smega platform. It serves both consumer and business/enterprise customers across Botswana and operates in a single-country footprint with regional roaming ties through the SADC One Network Area framework covering six countries.

BTC's underlying technology stack centers on the Uptime Institute Tier Certified Sentlhaga Data Centre, which hosts the company's BTC Cloud services and supports in-country data residency for compliance with Botswana's Data Protection Act, 2018. The business portfolio extends to enterprise ICT including Microsoft 365, MiVoice/MiCollab unified communications, MiContact Centre, SECaaS cybersecurity, VSAT and Starlink satellite connectivity, colocation, and managed networks. Sub-brands include BTC Cloud, Smega, ProConnect, ProData, Sentlhaga Data Centre, and Fast Connect. Bitcoin does not apply here as this is a traditional telco.

BTC generates revenue primarily through recurring subscriptions across mobile, fixed, and broadband services (priced in Pula, e.g., 100-300Mbps home broadband at P379-P547/month on 36-month contracts), enterprise managed-services contracts, mobile-money transaction fees via Smega, and hardware resale (Starlink kits). Distribution combines direct-to-consumer digital channels (website, mobile app, USSD *180#, call center 1333), physical retail stores, an enterprise sales team, and partner-led channels (Absa Bank, Starlink). For FY ending March 2026, revenue was BWP 1.47 billion with EBITDA of BWP 343M (23.3% margin), a 1.6% YoY revenue decline.

Name

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation

Legal name

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited

Website

https://btc.bw

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation is the state-owned national telecom operator of Botswana providing mobile (4G/LTE), fixed line, broadband, cloud (Sentlhaga Data Centre), Starlink satellite, and Smega mobile-money services to consumer, enterprise, and government customers across Botswana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services (51712)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

Carrier Billing & Telco Mobile Money (FSAMAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

SMS/RCS Messaging Platforms (BPAMACAF)

Keywords

• Mobile telecommunications services
• Fixed broadband internet
• Cloud data center services
• Mobile money payments
• Business ICT solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Gaborone

HQ country

Botswana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Mobile Services: Mobile voice, data, and SMS services for prepaid and postpaid consumers. Revenue from airtime sales, data bundles, and roaming charges. Company is experiencing compressed roaming revenue due to SADC One Network Area harmonized rates.
2. Fixed Landline: Traditional fixed telephone line rental and usage charges for residential and business customers, including BRI and PRI lines.
3. Home Internet (Broadband): Fixed broadband internet plans for residential customers, including DSL and fibre options with speeds up to 300Mbps. Sold on 36-month contract basis with tiered pricing.
4. Business ICT Solutions: Enterprise-grade cloud services (Sentlhaga Data Centre, BTC Cloud, colocation), managed networks, connectivity (Metro, VSAT, Starlink), Microsoft 365, and cybersecurity (SECaaS) sold to business customers.
5. Smega Mobile Money: BTC's mobile financial service platform enabling bill payments, airtime purchases, electricity reselling, and money transfers. Generates revenue through transaction fees and airtime distribution margins.
6. Satellite Services (Starlink): Resale of Starlink satellite internet packages to residential and business customers in areas underserved by terrestrial networks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) is a full-service national telecommunications operator providing mobile (4G/LTE), fixed landline, broadband internet, cloud hosting via the Sentlhaga Data Centre, VSAT/Starlink satellite connectivity, and Smega mobile money services to consumers, businesses, and government customers across Botswana. It offers an integrated portfolio spanning prepaid/postpaid mobile, home internet, enterprise ICT (cloud, managed networks, Microsoft 365, SECaaS, MiVoice/MiCollab collaboration), and mobile financial services.

Product overview

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) operates as a telecommunications company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for both consumer and business segments. The core consumer offerings include mobile services (BTC Mobile with prepaid/postpaid options), fixed landline telephone services, home internet solutions (broadband up to 300Mbps), and Smega mobile money/wallet services. For business customers, BTC provides an integrated suite of connectivity and communications solutions including dedicated internet (Net Connect, Enterprise Internet), cloud services (BTC Cloud hosted at the certified Sentlhaga Data Centre), unified communications (MiCollab, MiVoice, MiContact Centre), cybersecurity (SECaaS), and satellite connectivity (VSAT, Starlink). The company also participates in regional roaming initiatives like the SADC One Network Area. Recent infrastructure expansion under the SmartBots Village Connectivity project aims to extend broadband access to underserved communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BTC Cloud: Cloud services hosted at the Sentlhaga Data Centre for business customers.
• Smega
• ProConnect
• ProData
• Sentlhaga Data Centre
• Fast Connect

Products and services

• BTC Mobile Prepaid and postpaid mobile voice, data, and SMS services for individual consumers in Botswana, including MyBestOffer dynamic bundles, ReMmogo prepaid bundles with group funeral cover, and roaming.
• Home Internet Solutions Fixed broadband internet for residential customers offering DSL and fibre plans up to 300Mbps on 36-month contracts, including Broadband-only and Broadband-and-Voice bundled packages.
• Fixed Landline Traditional fixed telephone line rental and usage for residential and business customers, including Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI) lines, with international outgoing tariffs.
• Smega Mobile Money Mobile financial services platform enabling airtime purchase, electricity payments, bill payments, bundle purchases, money transfers, and prize disbursements through KYC-compliant Smega Wallet accounts for consumers and merchants.
• BTC Cloud

Quantifiable outcome

• Network expanded to 61 underserved villages under SmartBots Village Connectivity project, targeting 500+ villages and 1.2 million people with broadband access.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Absa Bank BotswanaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 August 2025BTC partnered with Absa Bank Botswana for a recharge promotion running from 15 August 2025 to 14 October 2025. Eligible BTC customers who recharge airtime or data using an Absa Bank account through approved BTC recharge channels (mobile app, USSD, or online banking) are automatically entered into a draw for Smega prizes. 35 lucky winners share P43,000 in Smega prizes.
• SADC Member States (Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024BTC participates in the SADC One Network Area framework, which began implementation in August 2024 between Botswana and Namibia and has since expanded to include Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The initiative harmonises international roaming charges with reductions of 10% to 98.6% depending on the service and operator. Telecom operators including MTN, Vodacom, Airtel, and Econet participate in the framework.
• AmdocscoreTechnology or IntegrationBotswana Telecommunications Corporation selected Amdocs for billing modernization. This is a strategic technology partnership to modernise BTC's billing and revenue management platforms, part of a global trend where telecom operators adopt AI-powered billing solutions to handle increasing pricing complexity from 5G, digital services, and roaming harmonisation.
• Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA)coreOthersBTC operates under regulatory oversight by BOCRA, which approves the RIO (Reference Interconnect Offer) contract framework. The RIO contract governs BTC's interconnect arrangements and is signed by BOCRA. BTC's VoLTE service is regulated by BOCRA's Quality of Service requirements.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Econet Wireless Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's leading mobile operator with mobile money (EcoCash), enterprise and broadband services, and a key BTC partner in the SADC One Network Area. Comparable for cross-border mobile and mobile-money benchmarks in the Southern African region.
• Telecom Namibia: Namibia's incumbent fixed-line and broadband operator, part of Namibia's telecom landscape and SADC roaming partner of BTC. Comparable as a state-owned fixed and broadband operator in the same regional market.
• MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Limited, Namibia): Namibia's dominant state-owned mobile operator and the regional counterpart to BTC within the SADC One Network Area. Highly comparable as a state-owned national telco of similar scale serving a small Southern African market.

Broad incumbents

• Sonatel (Orange Group): West African incumbent telco operating under Orange in Senegal and several neighbouring markets. Comparable as a regional state-linked integrated telco with mobile money (Orange Money) and enterprise services.
• MTN Group: Africa's largest pan-regional mobile operator with presence in multiple SADC countries (including SADC One Network Area participation). Comparable as a major SADC telco operator with mobile money (MoMo) and enterprise services relevant to BTC's regional positioning.
• Airtel Africa: Pan-African mobile operator with presence across multiple SADC countries including roaming participation. Comparable for cross-border mobile, mobile money (Airtel Money) and enterprise connectivity benchmarks.
• Ethio Telecom: Ethiopia's state-owned national telecom operator; comparable as a state-owned integrated fixed, mobile, broadband and enterprise operator in Africa. Relevant for state-owned incumbent operating model and capital allocation benchmarks.
• Vodacom Group: Major pan-African mobile operator with operations across SADC, a participant in the SADC One Network Area roaming framework. Comparable as a regional incumbent competitor for cross-border enterprise and consumer services.

Direct peers

• Mascom Wireless Botswana: Botswana's largest competing mobile operator with nationwide 4G/5G mobile services, broadband and enterprise offerings. Directly comparable as a domestic rival competing for the same consumers and enterprises in Botswana's mobile and broadband markets.
• Orange Botswana: Direct competitor in Botswana's mobile, internet and enterprise ICT markets, operating under the Orange Group brand with a similar full-service telco proposition. Comparable customer base, regulatory environment, and product portfolio to BTC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/btc.bw
• Xx.com/btc_limited

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Botswana Telecommunications Corporation