Botswana has won the bid to host the 5th Innovation Prize for Africa in Gaborone in June this year. The event, which is Pan Africa’s most celebrated Innovation event of the year, is a brainchild of African Innovation Foundation (AIF). AIF will collaborate with Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology and Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) in hosting the event. Giving a keynote address at the launch of the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology Dikagiso Mokotedi said their objective in hosting the ceremony is to ensure that the country lays a strong foundation in science, technology and innovation through a number of key interventions.“We remain committed to supporting innovators to reach greater heights by facilitating for development of a robust national system of innovation,” he said. He said the hosting of the IPA awards will allow Botswana to showcase the epitome of innovation in Africa here in Gaborone. The awards, according to Mokotedi, will allow local innovators, partners, inventors and the general public to appreciate Africa level innovations and their funding framework while instilling and motivating local innovators. IPA awards were launched in 2011 and the winner will pocket grand prize of US$ 100,000.