This paper assesses whether design-driven innovation assists Botswana’s creative industries in creating
added value to the products and services they offer. Evidence from the literature shows that the ability
of any creative industry to successfully compete in the global market depends on how it innovates its
products and services. However, this area is under-researched as none of the studies reviewed have
actually attempted to explore the technical landscape of design and innovation in the creative industries
in Botswana, except research in business and management innovation. Botswana is diversifying her
economy from overreliance on minerals to manufacturing and tourism. Since creative industries elsewhere
have proved to be the drivers of the economy, this paper investigates the role played by this sector in
contributing to the diversification of the country’s economy. The results show that there is a weak link
between the creative industries and research and development institutions and this has hindered the
development and promotion of local technological capabilities such as the creation of sustainable high
quality products and efficient services.
