ICT Competency Standards
BITS defines the education, training and competency standards that ICT professionals in Botswana must meet — ensuring a skilled, qualified and future-ready workforce.
What Are Competency Standards?
Competency standards define what an ICT professional must know, understand, and be able to do at each level of their career. They provide the benchmark against which qualifications and work experience are measured — both for initial registration and for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Well-defined competency standards protect employers and the public by ensuring that registered ICT professionals have the skills to deliver safe, reliable and effective technology solutions.
BITS' Constitutional Mandate
The BITS Constitution (Article 3) empowers the Society to:
- Define and promote acceptable performance standards for the ICT profession
- Define acceptable education standards for ICT professionals (Constitution Article 3.1)
- Define acceptable training standards for ICT professionals (Constitution Article 3.1)
- Promote the advancement of IT through education, training and professional development
- Work with national and international bodies to align Botswana's standards with global best practice
The Education & Training Committee and Standards Committee are the BITS structures responsible for developing and administering these standards.
Key Competency Areas
Core ICT Skills
Foundational technical competencies in software development, systems administration, networking, database management and IT infrastructure.
Cybersecurity
Competencies in information security, risk management, incident response and compliance — increasingly critical as Botswana expands its digital services and infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence & Data
Emerging competencies in AI, machine learning, data analytics and digital innovation — priority areas highlighted through BITS' engagement with IFIP and TICON Africa.
ICT Governance & Management
Competencies in IT project management, enterprise architecture, governance frameworks (COBIT, ITIL), and strategic leadership of ICT functions.
Professional Skills
Communication, ethics, stakeholder management and leadership skills that complement technical expertise and are assessed as part of membership grade requirements.
Continuing Professional Development
Ongoing learning commitments that keep members current with evolving technologies, standards and regulatory requirements across their career.
Standards by Membership Grade
BITS membership grades (Article 4 of the Constitution) reflect progressive competency levels:
| Grade | Competency Level | Standard Required |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow (FBITS) | Expert / Leader | 10+ years; demonstrated leadership and contribution to advancing the ICT profession |
| Member (MBITS) | Senior Practitioner | 8+ years; broad technical and professional competence in ICT |
| Associate Member (ABITS) | Experienced Practitioner | 3+ years; independently capable ICT professional |
| Graduate Member | Entry-Level Practitioner | Recognised ICT qualification meeting BITS education standards; no work experience required |
| Student Member | In Development | Currently enrolled in a recognised ICT programme |
International Alignment
BITS is pursuing membership of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) — a global body that sets internationally recognised standards for ICT education, research and professional practice. Alignment with IFIP frameworks will allow BITS competency standards to be benchmarked against global best practice and enable Botswana ICT professionals to have their qualifications recognised internationally.
Through participation in TICON Africa and regional networks, BITS also draws on competency frameworks from across the African continent and adapts them to Botswana's context.
The BITS Competency Framework is currently being developed. For enquiries about education standards or training accreditation, contact us.