An Electronics Engineer by profession, Kedumetse, through his company Ked-Liphi, aims to create long-lasting products that add value to the lives of Africans. In this interview, he talks about the early days of Ked-Liphi and how he plans to steer the company to achieve its ultimate goal of improving the lives of Africans.
In your own words, tell us who Kedumetse Liphi is
Kedumetse Liphi is a young passionate Motswana entrepreneur with a vision to be a pioneer in innovative solutions across Africa starting with our motherland Botswana. I’m from a village called Senete in Kalanga lands. I’m an Electronics Engineer by profession.
Please tell us more about your company, Ked-Liphi?
Ked-Liphi(Pty)Ltd was founded in 2016 focusing on general electronics and has steadily been growing up to date and now has an innovation department. My passion and curiosity to explore led me to think outside the box and now alongside my team, we have successfully manufactured a few innovative machines to create social impact innovations such as our solar Backpack designed and manufactured to assist with lighting across African regions where electricity is a challenge.
What was the motivation for starting Ked-Liphi?
The motivation to start Ked-Liphi was based on creating long-lasting solutions that add value to the lives of Africans.
As a manufacturing business utilizing special parts for your gadgets, what challenges have you faced operating in Botswana which is not a very industrialized country?
Innovating in Botswana is a hard and tedious process and because we do not manufacture any electrical components and import parts and gadgets, it is often expensive and slow, although it enhances our products to become dominant innovations on the local market through quality and durability. Our team has been self-financed up to date with little to no support in some instances from many Government departments. Innovation is an expensive process and the challenges we have faced range from lack of financing to closed doors due to circumstances beyond our control and having some ideas duplicated without our knowledge, an issue that affects most young Motswana entrepreneurs.
How have you been trying to surmount those challenges?
We have had some support for example from CIPA who have patented all our innovations and BD&IH who adopted us into their network. Finances are still a big part of our setback in this entrepreneurial journey.
How receptive have Batswana been to Ked-Liphi products?
Batswana have not fully embraced our innovations as anticipated however people from other continents such as the USA and African countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa have been receptive towards adopting our innovations and strategic partnerships are in place.
In your opinion, what do you think can be done to promote the adoption of innovative products made by local companies like Ked-Liphi?
My opinion is that Botswana needs more visionaries who can promote local innovations. Botswana needs innovation hubs that actually foster physical product development as compared to simply creating hype towards non-existent and tangible real-life and practical innovations.
What are your goals for Ked-Liphi in the next 3-5 years?
Our 3-5 year goals are to launch an electronic hub in Botswana that will help young entrepreneurs build fictional mechanical prototypes through our electronics capabilities.
What has been the proudest moment of your entrepreneurial journey so far?
Our milestones consist of being featured in many media platforms, some local and international such as CNN as well as being a company positioned and known across Botswana as creative innovation geniuses.
Is there anything you would like to share with our readers regarding any exciting products or ventures Ked-Liphi is launching in the near future?
Readers including potential partners must look out for upcoming Ked-Liphi innovations and may follow us or look us up on social media.
What advice can you give to aspiring tech innovators who want to also embark on the entrepreneurship path?
The advice that I can give to young entrepreneurs is to never give up, believe in themselves, and innovate from the heart.
Lastly, please share with our readers where you can be reached if they are interested in getting in touch
Our team can be contacted by Call or WhatsApp on: +267 72 135676 \ 77 7154382
Email: info@kedliphi.co.bw
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KedLip/
Website: www.Ked-Liphi.co.bw
NB: Interview has been slightly edited for clarity