Botswana’s President Advocate Duma Boko arrived in Tallinn on May 19 for a state visit running until May 22, strategically overlapping with Latitude59. This high-level diplomatic engagement is a crucial follow-up to Estonian President Alar Karis’s visit to Botswana in March 2024, underscoring a sustained and results-oriented bilateral relationship.
President Boko is a confirmed keynote speaker at Latitude59, using this prominent platform to articulate Botswana’s national vision and investment opportunities to a global audience of technology leaders and investors. He is also set to co-open the Botswana-Estonia Business Forum on May 21 alongside President Karis, an event specifically designed to promote trade and investment between the two nations. This forum, complemented by the broader Africa Business Forum 2025 in Tallinn, focuses on the transformative impact of digitalisation on doing business across Africa, with an emphasis on green and smart solutions.
The Baltics tech conference has drawn over 4,000 participants from more than 70 countries to the Kultuurikatel, also known as the Tallinn Creative Hub. This year, the event has taken on heightened significance with the state visit and active participation of Botswana’s President Boko, signalling a powerful commitment to leveraging global innovation for national digital transformation and economic diversification. The 13th edition of Latitude59, running from May 21-23, 2025, marks a notable expansion from last year’s 3,500 participants, solidifying its status as a premier international gathering point for innovation. More than just a showcase, Latitude59 serves as a critical forum for shaping the future of technology with a strong emphasis on ethical development, strategic global collaboration, and addressing pressing global challenges.
A Global Stage for “Integrity & Perspective”
The 2025 conference theme, “Integrity & Perspective,” serves as a guiding principle, underscoring a deep commitment to responsible innovation and a holistic view of technology’s multifaceted impact on society. Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59, articulated this vision, stating that “meaningful change must come with integrity and perspective,” recognising that “there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution” in the diverse global tech landscape. This theme highlights a conscious effort to ensure technological advancements are developed and deployed ethically, considering their broader implications for humanity and international stability. The agenda is meticulously curated to delve into critical strategic themes vital for the global tech community, reflecting current geopolitical and societal imperatives. Discussions will address digital sovereignty, focusing on the crucial control and governance of data and digital infrastructures within national borders, a growing concern in an interconnected world.
Furthermore, the conference will delve into ethical AI development and AI ethics, with discussions revolving around the responsible creation and deployment of artificial intelligence, a recurring and crucial theme given the rapid advancements and societal implications of AI. The conference also encompasses a wide array of other pressing tech topics, including the EU’s position in the innovation race, smart cities, FinTech, sustainable technologies, biotechnology, neural networks, and innovations in public governance.
Accompanying President Boko is a high-level delegation including Dr. Phenyo Butale, Minister for International Relations; David Tshere, Minister of Communication and Innovation; and Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship. This multi-sectoral representation signifies a holistic approach to Botswana’s engagement, encompassing diplomatic, regulatory, and economic dimensions essential for successful digital transformation.
Botswana is actively pursuing its National Digital Transformation Strategy, which aims to digitise public services, foster an innovation ecosystem, and modernise ICT infrastructure. Minister David Tshere candidly acknowledged that Botswana is “still at an infant stage in the digital space” but highlighted significant progress in laying digital infrastructure and legislative frameworks. He emphasised that Estonia, a “powerhouse in digital transition,” offers a proven record in digital services, cybersecurity, and e-government, making it an ideal partner for Botswana’s aspirations. An existing agreement between Botswana and the Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation is already supporting digital development in Botswana, focusing on e-government services and seamless data exchange.
The strategic alignment between Latitude59’s themes and Botswana’s priorities is clear. Discussions on digital sovereignty, defence innovation, and ethical AI directly address Botswana’s need for robust data protection, national security applications of technology, and responsible AI integration as it digitizes its public sector.
President Boko’s attendance at Latitude59 2025 is expected to yield multi-faceted benefits for Botswana’s digital transformation and economic diversification agenda. Botswana aims to significantly accelerate its policy and regulatory development by learning from Estonia’s “proven record in creating a conducive business climate, digital services, data protection and cyber security, excellent startup ecosystem and e-government services”. This direct engagement can help Botswana expedite its digital services bill and adopt best practices in digital governance, simplifying administrative processes and making services more accessible. The existing agreement with the Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation, focused on seamless data exchange and public sector efficiency, will also benefit from this direct interaction, potentially leading to the operationalisation of interoperability for integrated services.
Additionally, the conference offers Botswana direct access to capital and strategic partnerships, with close to 800 investors, including prominent funds like a16z and Sequoia, in attendance. The dedicated Investor Day and Dinner provide exclusive settings for high-value networking, which can lead to significant foreign direct investment into Botswana’s technology sector. By observing Latitude59’s successful pitch competition model, Botswana stands to gain a blueprint for scaling its own local startup support initiatives, such as the Botswana Innovation Hub and the Techstars Startup Community Catalyst Africa program, which recently launched in Gaborone. This can enhance the effectiveness of local programs and better prepare Batswana startups for international growth and funding.
Furthermore, Latitude59’s focus on dual-use technologies and defense innovation offers Botswana insights into leveraging advanced technologies for national development and security beyond traditional military contexts. Technologies like advanced sensors and drone capabilities, discussed at the conference, could be adapted for civilian applications in Botswana, such as agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, or anti-poaching efforts, contributing to economic diversification.
The state visit itself reinforces the strategic partnership and mutual trust between Botswana and Estonia, creating a stable environment for long-term collaborations. The co-opening of the Botswana-Estonia Business Forum and the broader Africa Business Forum, with their focus on digital and green solutions, are catalysing sector-specific economic bridges. This can attract Estonian companies specialising in e-governance, renewable energy, and waste management, directly contributing to Botswana’s sustainable development goals.
To maximise these gains, Botswana plans to establish a dedicated cross-ministerial task force for follow-up, develop a “Botswana Digital Investment Prospectus,” and host a “Botswana-Estonia Digital Dialogue” series. Long-term strategies include formalising knowledge exchange programs, pursuing joint innovation challenges, and exploring bilateral investment funds. These efforts aim to systematically integrate lessons learned into Botswana’s National Development Plans, ensuring sustained progress towards a digitally empowered and economically diversified future.
Latitude59 2025 is unequivocally positioned as a pivotal event that transcends the boundaries of a traditional tech conference. It serves as a dynamic “bellwether of what’s next in practical tech transformation,” offering a glimpse into the innovations and trends that will shape future industries. By fostering deep and interactive discussions on themes of integrity, digital sovereignty, defense innovation, and ethical AI, and by facilitating crucial international collaborations, now with Botswana—Latitude59 reinforces its indispensable role as a vital forum for addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the global tech landscape. Held within the historic Kultuurikatel, a former power plant ingeniously transformed into a vibrant cultural venue, the conference itself embodies the spirit of transformation. This setting serves as a fitting symbol for an event dedicated to shaping the future of technology and society, highlighting the power of innovation to repurpose and revitalise.
