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Communication is emerging as a powerful tool for governance and corporate transparency in Botswana, speakers said at the University of Botswana’s (UB) 5th International Conference on Academic and Professional Communication this week.

Delivering the keynote address, Gambling Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mr Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, underscored the role of communication as a key regulatory tool in Botswana’s evolving gambling sector. He highlighted the Authority’s strategic shift towards digital platforms including self-exclusion portals and national education campaigns designed to influence public behaviour and enhance stakeholder engagement.

“By leveraging strategic messaging and campaigns such as Motshameko o Phepha, and integrating emerging technologies such as AI-enabled monitoring, the Authority aims to lead responsible growth while protecting youth and vulnerable populations,” he said. Mr Kesitilwe added that the Authority had sponsored 10 students and one staff member to attend the event as part of its human capital development efforts.

Debswana’s Executive Head of Corporate Affairs, Ms Rachel Mothibatsela, echoed the importance of digital communication in modern business. She said the mining giant was using storytelling, social media platforms and provenance-tracking technologies to highlight its social impact and build stakeholder trust.

“Digital tools allow us to trace each diamond to the communities it benefits. This reinforces our social licence to operate and aligns us with national development goals,” she said. Ms. Mothibatsela emphasised the importance of data-driven communication in ensuring that development efforts were measurable, meaningful and sustainable.

The conference, hosted by the University’s Department of Communication and Study Skills, was held under the theme "Shaping the Future: Trends and Approaches to Academic and Professional Communication in a Digital Era.” It brought together local and international scholars, students and professionals to explore emerging communication trends in a digitalising world.

Key topics included artificial intelligence in communication, ethical challenges online, crisis messaging and digital pedagogy.

The University of Botswana commended the sponsorship from the Gambling Authority and Debswana, saying it enabled wider participation and showcased valuable collaboration between academia and industry.

The event concluded with a bushfire dinner and networking excursion at Mokolodi Nature Reserve.