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University of Botswana (UB) Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, says global economies are driven by knowledge to achieve the developmental goals of nations. Speaking at the 17th National Business Conference (NBC) in Francistown on the 26th August 2024, Professor Norris addressed the panel on the topic "Towards an Export-Led Economy: Empowering Botswana Firms for Global Expansion".

He highlighted the critical role universities play in fostering innovation and economic growth. The conference, themed "Invigorating Economic Transformation through the Private Sector," was officially opened by His Honour, the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr Slumber Tsogwane. It brought together over 500 thought leaders being delegates from diverse sectors to engage in high-level discussions aimed at driving economic transformation.

Professor Norris pointed out that the success of companies such as Google, Facebook, Whatsapp and various smart technology products was rooted in knowledge and innovation, which are often the outcomes of partnerships between universities and industries. He stressed that innovation thrived on collaboration among universities, the private sector, government and industry, underscoring the importance of such partnerships in driving economic and technological advancements.

He also observed that knowledge had increasingly become a vital tool for value creation in the modern economy. Professor Norris stated that UB was actively engaged across the entire value chain, from basic and applied research to product development and commercialisation. He noted that research and innovation were essential for countries to remain competitive and achieve their developmental objectives. Through such initiatives, UB is committed to playing a leading role in powering Botswana's economy and contributing to global economic progress, demonstrating that knowledge is indeed a key driver of growth and development.