Episode 32: How to Build a Better Innovation Ecosystem: Lessons from Botswana | Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon

March 03, 2026

We often think of innovation as something inherently good — new technologies, sleek apps, disruptive ideas, and economic growth.

But who actually benefits from innovation? And what gets erased in the process?

In this episode, Alexandra speaks with Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon, a knowledge architect and social change educator based in Botswana, about the relationship between innovation, development, land, power, and cultural knowledge systems.

Together, they unpack Botswana’s efforts to build an innovation economy beyond diamonds, while exploring larger questions around colonialism, intellectual property, indigenous knowledge systems, youth unemployment, and the politics of global development.  

Dr. Pierce shares how land, policy, history, and local knowledge shape what innovation can — and cannot — achieve; how national ambition meets lived reality; and what other countries, regions, and cities can learn from Botswana’s approach.

Together, we explore:

  • How innovation is shaped by policy, history, and place
  • The opportunities and constraints facing emerging entrepreneurs
  • Why innovation is never truly neutral
  • The relationship between indigenous knowledge and intellectual property
  • The tension between national development goals and everyday realities

Guest

Dr. Pierce Edward Cornelius Otlhogile-Gordon 

Across discipline, industry, and geographical borders, he's guided changemakers and changemaker communities reach professional and personal goals of system change.

Each resource he's helped to build has synthesized and activated the creative impulse to build a more just, resilient, and communal global community.

He deftly navigates the disciplines of innovation practice, evaluation capacity building, systems thinking, international development, speculative futures, and more. He's guided changemakers at community and national scopes across multiple continents, in the for-profit, academic, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors. Across his vast and eclectic professional journey, his work shares one principle: to orchestrate the spread of agency and creativity across the world.

He holds a M.S. and Ph.D. from the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley, and summa cum laude B.S. degrees from the University of Michigan and Morehouse College.

Learn more: piercegordon.me/

Key Concepts

  • Creative Destruction (Joseph Schumpeter)
  • Path Dependency
  • World Systems Theory
  • Epistemicide
  • Innovation Ecosystem
  • Intellectual Property (IP)
  • Innovation Infrastructure
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Timestamps

00:00 — Innovation, Ethics & Power
00:30 — Innovation Beyond Silicon Valley
01:15 — Botswana’s Development Story
02:00 — Three Big Ideas to Keep in Mind
03:05 — Meet Dr. Pierce 
04:30 — What Actually Is Innovation?
07:00 — Blockchain, AI & the Myth of Neutral Technology
08:45 — Botswana’s Diamond Economy & the 50/50 Deal
11:20 — Colonialism, Global Systems & “The Rules of the Game”: World systems theory, extraction, and development politics.
13:00 — Indigenous Knowledge, Devil’s Claw & Intellectual Property
The story of medicinal herbs, extraction, and ownership.
17:00 — Exploitation Beyond Natural Resources: Culture, epistemicide, and the extraction of people and ideas.
19:00 — What Is Epistemicide? Breaking down the concept and why knowledge systems matter.
23:30 — Creative Destruction & Innovation Culture
29:20 — Botswana’s Innovation Ecosystem: Innovation hubs, development policy, and building a future beyond mining.
33:00 — Innovation Infrastructure & Botswana Innovation Hub: Place-based innovation, tech parks, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
36:00 — Why Good Innovation Policy Still Fails: The gap between policy creation and implementation.
38:00 — Intellectual Property & Knowledge Access: IP infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and information access barriers.
41:00 — Path Dependency & Building New Economies: Why moving beyond mining economies is so difficult.
45:15 — Botswana’s Innovation Priorities: Mining, tourism, beef, clean tech, biotech, and indigenous knowledge systems.
49:00 — What It Takes to Build Inclusive Innovation: Final reflections on co-design, equity, and empowering communities.
51:40 — Where to Learn More About Dr. Pierce’s Work 

Favourite Moments from the Episode

“Do you know the rules of the game? And is everyone playing the game ethically?”
— Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon

“The human imagination does not only have to be limited to the problems that we have created.” 
— Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon


“Novelty is not the highest quality thing that we build.”
— Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon


“The focus of innovation is supposed to be solving problems.”
— Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon

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Show Notes 

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships


Support
  • Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
  • Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the Loop

Got feedback, an idea for an episode, or someone we should interview?

Email us at hello@urbanlimitrophe.com or send a DM on social media—we’d love to hear from you.

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Episodes 29-31: How the Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) Can Solve the Sahel Region’s Water Crisis | Dr. Rod Tennyson & Dr. Romila Verma

August 31, 2025


What if water infrastructure could do more than deliver clean drinking water — what if it could transform economies, support food security, reduce climate migration, and unite communities across borders?

In this 3-part series, Urban Limitrophe explores the story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary project to bring clean, desalinated water across the Sahel through a 7,000-kilometre pipeline powered by renewable energy. Through conversations with co-founders Dr. Romila Verma and Dr. Rod Tennyson, we unpack how water connects to everything: agriculture, innovation, migration, environmental justice, and community resilience.

TAP is more than a pipeline — it’s a call to imagine water systems built with care, creativity, and the future in mind.

Episode 1: How to Build a Continent-Sized Water System 

How do you build a continent-sized water system?

In this episode, we explore what it takes to design a 7,000-kilometre pipeline to bring clean water across one of the driest regions in the world. Co-founders  Dr. Rod Tennyson and Dr. Romila Verma share the origin story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary infrastructure project that combines solar-powered desalination, salt recovery, and lightweight materials to deliver sustainable water access across the Sahel. From technical design to big-picture ambition, we dive into how TAP was engineered — and how it could change lives on a continental scale.



You can listen to the podcast on The Nurubian |  Spotify | Podchaser | Stitcher | Amazon Music | RSS | Apple Podcasts 


Episode 2: How Cities Can Rethink Water — With People, Planning, and Purpose

Why do some water systems work— and others fail?

Successful water infrastructure isn’t just about engineering. There’s a hidden social side — shaped by governance, culture, and power — that often determines whether systems actually work, or get built at all.

In this second episode, beyond the technical side of infrastructure to explore the social, ethical, and ecological dimensions of water access. Dr. Verma introduces her Four Pillars of Water Sustainability — science, governance, economics, and cultural connection — and we explore how these ideas can reshape how cities, towns, and regions manage water today. From sponge cities to sacred rivers, we discuss why collaboration and care are at the heart of any truly sustainable water system.

Episode 3: Why Solving Africa’s Water Crisis Matters Everywhere — and What We Can Do About It

How will water scarcity shape the future of cities, migration, and global stability?

From climate change to migration, the African water crisis is deeply connected to global challenges — and global solutions. 

In the final episode of this series, we explore why water scarcity is not just a regional issue, but a global one. We unpack the legacy of extractive systems, the role of youth and local leadership, and the urgency of declaring not just a climate emergency, but a water emergency. 

Through the lens of the TransAfrica Pipeline, we ask: what does global responsibility look like in a time of water crisis — and what can we do to build a more secure, just, and caring future?


Guests

Dr. Rod Tennyson

Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of TAP, Dr. Tennyson received his Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto. He was Professor and Director of the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, with research experience in advanced materials and aerospace structures, fiber optic sensor systems and pipeline integrity. He has published 215 papers in these fields, holds six patents on sensing systems and has received many awards for his pioneering work. Dr. Tennyson directs all research and engineering aspects of the TAP project and leads negotiations with funding resources, governments and NGOs.


Dr. Romila Verma

A founding Director of TAP, Dr. Verma is an Instructor at the School of the Environment and Department of Geography at the University of Toronto. Her teaching and research interests are in the field of global water management, environmental science and climate change impacts. She is also the founder of Water Speaks, an organization committed to advancing and translating the voice of water through research, education and action.

Shownotes

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships


Support
  • Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
  • Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, best friend, babysitter, barber ... leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show. 

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Episode 28: How DO Architecture Co-Designs for Dignity After Disaster | Omar Degan

July 11, 2025


What does it mean to rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes?

In this episode of Urban Limitrophe, we speak with architect Omar Degan, founder of DO Architecture and the Fragility Lab. Together, they explore how architecture can be a tool for healing, not just shelter — and how co-designing with communities leads to more just, resilient spaces in the aftermath of crisis.
Omar shares his journey designing in fragile contexts — from post-conflict housing in Somalia to consulting for the UN — and how his work challenges traditional top-down models of humanitarian aid. Instead of quick fixes, his approach centers culture, collaboration, and care.

You’ll learn how DO Architecture uses emergency design to center communities in fragile contexts, and why beauty, dignity, and belonging should never be seen as luxuries — even in disaster recovery.

Whether you're a planner, designer, changemaker, or curious listener, this conversation invites you to rethink how we rebuild, who we build for, and what’s possible when communities lead the way.



You can listen to the podcast on The Nurubian |  Spotify | Podchaser | Stitcher | Amazon Music | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Omar Degan

Omar Degan is a professor of architecture and the Principal of Do Architecture Group, an architecture firm based between Somalia, Italy and the USA specialising in emergency architecture, post-conflict reconstruction and fragile contexts.
His firm's principle lies in designing culturally, historically and climatically relevant solutions to social problems worldwide, with a particular focus on the most fragile contexts and communities.

Omar obtained his Master in Architecture for Sustainability and Built Environment from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Polytechnic University of Turin ( Italy) where he also earned his Post-graduate degree in Emergency contexts and developing countries.

In 2022 he become an Obama Leader and in 2023 co-founded the FragilityLab, a research and non-profit organization that aims to support the process of peace and development through architecture in the most distressed areas of the world.

With a global portfolio spanning Asia, South America, and Africa, he has contributed his expertise to numerous projects worldwide. His extensive experience in the field of architecture has been instrumental in establishing an inclusive and professional architecture office. 

Learn more: DO Architecture and FragilityLab

      Timestamps

      • Forthcoming

      Acknowledgements

      Sponsorships


      Support
      • Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
      • Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

      Stay in the loop!

      If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

      If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, best friend, babysitter, barber ... leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

      Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show. 

      Read more »

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      Urban Limitrophe is a podcast exploring the various initiatives happening in cities across the African continent to creatively solve problems, support their communities, create vibrant urban spaces, and build better cities overall. Tune in to catch interviews with various guests!

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