Botswana’s telecommunications landscape is undergoing a significant shakeup that signals both an end of an era and the dawn of a new chapter. At its Annual General Meeting on September 23, 2025, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) announced the retirement of three key Independent Non-Executive Directors, including Board Chairperson Mr. Mokgethi F. Magapa, marking a watershed moment in the company’s governance and strategic direction. This move, while routine in corporate cycles, carries deeper implications for BTC’s future as it simultaneously appoints a fresh leadership team charged with leading a digital transformation and turnaround.
Mr. Mokgethi F. Magapa’s departure is particularly noteworthy. Serving as the Board Chairperson for several years, Magapa has been a pivotal figure in BTC’s evolution. Known for his operational acumen and experience in telecommunications and business turnaround, he steered BTC through periods of significant challenge and growth. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize BTC’s operations and improve governance structures. His exit, along with fellow board members Mr. Bafana Molomo and Mr. Ranjith Priyalal De Silva, closes a chapter on a governance team that laid much of the groundwork for BTC’s current position. Magapa’s leadership was not limited to BTC; he also holds prominent roles such as Chairman at the Local Enterprise Authority, underscoring his influence across Botswana’s business landscape.
The retirement of Mr. Bafana Molomo and Mr. Ranjith Priyalal De Silva also signals a strategic recalibration. Molomo, a co-founder and managing partner at Aleyo Capital, brought deep private equity and venture capital expertise to the board, helping BTC navigate complex financial landscapes and investment opportunities. His background in corporate finance and regional investment strategies was a valuable asset during BTC’s expansion and restructuring phases. De Silva, a seasoned Chartered Accountant with a wealth of expertise in auditing, taxation, and financial management, provided a critical financial oversight role. Their combined experience helped BTC maintain fiscal discipline while pursuing growth in a competitive telecommunications market.
The board’s response to these retirements was swift and pointed. At a meeting held the same day as the AGM, Mr. Thato Kewakae, who has been an Independent Non-Executive Director since 2021, was appointed interim Board Chairperson. Kewakae’s appointment is more than just a placeholder move; it reflects BTC’s commitment to continuity and experience. Kewakae is a versatile business professional with a strong footprint in ICT and business consulting. His diverse experience spans private sector growth leadership, consultancy roles, and support services bridging government and private enterprise. This background positions him uniquely to guide BTC through its next phase, one that promises to lean heavily on digital transformation and operational efficiency.
Alongside this leadership shuffle, the AGM also welcomed new blood onto the board with the appointment of Mr. Kgotso Bannalotlhe as a Non-Executive Director. Bannalotlhe comes with a robust banking and financial services pedigree, boasting nearly two decades of regional and international experience. His tenure at Letshego Africa Holdings, where he served as Regional Executive and Country CEO for Botswana, highlights his capability in managing large financial institutions and steering them through growth and transformation. Bannalotlhe’s addition to BTC’s board signals a deliberate move to deepen financial expertise and strategic oversight, vital for navigating the complexities of telecom financing and investment in an era of rapid technological change.
The AGM also ratified the appointment of Mr. Jürgen Peschel as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, reinforcing his mandate to lead BTC’s ambitious transformation and turnaround strategy. Peschel, a German national with over 30 years of leadership experience in telecommunications, IT, fintech, and digitization, took the helm in July 2025. His international track record includes managing telecom operations across Europe, North America, and Africa, with a strong focus on innovation and digital growth. Peschel’s arrival marked a clear signal from BTC that it intends to accelerate its digital transformation efforts, enhance customer experience, and improve operational efficiencies to compete in an increasingly digital global market.
BTC’s transformation strategy under Peschel is not just about technology; it aims to recalibrate the entire organization’s approach to governance, customer focus, and operational agility. The company has publicly committed to a turnaround plan that prioritizes digital growth, leveraging emerging technologies to modernize its network infrastructure and services. This includes expanding mobile broadband coverage across Botswana, automating customer service processes, and enhancing digital product offerings. Such a strategy is critical in a market where telecom providers are racing to meet increasing data demands and evolving consumer expectations in a digital-first era.
BTC’s outgoing directors leave behind a legacy of steady governance and financial stewardship that helped stabilize the company during turbulent times. Their retirement coincides with a broader push by BTC to strengthen governance frameworks and align board composition with its strategic imperatives. The appointment of new directors with fresh perspectives, combined with Peschel’s executive leadership, is designed to foster a culture of innovation and responsiveness. It also reflects the company’s recognition that in the telecom sector, staying relevant means continuously evolving governance and leadership models to match the pace of technological change.
This leadership transition comes at a critical moment for Botswana’s telecommunications sector. BTC faces rising competition from regional and international players, regulatory pressures, and the ongoing challenge of bridging the digital divide in Botswana’s rural and urban areas. The company’s ability to execute its transformation strategy while maintaining financial health and customer trust will be closely scrutinized by shareholders, regulators, and the market at large. The new board and executive team must navigate these complexities deftly to ensure BTC’s sustainability and growth.
Mr. Thato Kewakae’s interim chairmanship symbolizes a bridging of eras—honoring the foundations laid by his predecessors while steering BTC into a future defined by digital innovation. His leadership style, shaped by his extensive experience across sectors and focus on ICT, is expected to bring a pragmatic yet visionary approach. Kewakae’s challenge will be to maintain board cohesion and strategic clarity during this period of transformation, ensuring that governance supports rather than hinders the company’s agility.
Meanwhile, the arrival of new directors like Bannalotlhe reflects BTC’s intent to deepen its financial and strategic capabilities. His banking and financial services background will be crucial as BTC seeks to optimize capital structure, explore new investment opportunities, and manage financial risks inherent in telecom infrastructure investments. This is a vote of confidence in professional financial stewardship at the board level, essential for a company navigating both growth and turnaround challenges.
Under Peschel’s leadership, BTC is poised to embrace digital transformation not merely as a technological upgrade but as a fundamental rethinking of its business model. His international experience with digital innovation and telecom operations positions him well to lead BTC into competitive markets where customer-centric digital services are paramount. Peschel’s task will be to embed a culture of innovation across all levels of the company, ensuring that BTC remains relevant to customers while expanding its digital footprint.
The board changes at BTC capture a moment of transition for the company—a telecommunications giant at a crossroads between legacy operations and a digital future. The retirement of seasoned directors and the induction of fresh faces, combined with a CEO versed in global digital trends, illustrate a company intent on reinvention. As Botswana’s telecommunications sector evolves rapidly, BTC’s leadership faces the dual challenge of preserving institutional strengths while boldly pursuing innovation and growth. The next few years will be a definitive test of BTC’s ability to transform itself into a nimble, digitally empowered enterprise that can meet the demands of an increasingly connected Botswana and global marketplace.
