The Otta (graded aggregate) seal technology originated in the 960s in the Otta valley in Norway.This type of bituminous seal was first introduced to Botswana in the late 1970s with design andconstruction being initially undertaken in-house and, subsequently, by the private sector. However, asomewhat haphazard approach to the transfer of this relatively new technology from the public to theprivate sector was largely responsible for initially suppressing the uptake of this innovative type ofsurfacing despite its eminent suitability for use with locally available, marginal quality aggregates.Many lessons have been learned from this experience which are likely to be useful to other countrieswhere the introduction of the Otta seal is being contemplated.The primary objective of this paper is to highlight the critical importance of undertaking effectivetechnology transfer to ensure the sustainability of any new type of technology, such as the Otta seal.The paper considers the path from research to implementation of new technology, including thetypical constraints and barriers that are faced in the African region. In the context of the Otta sealexperience in Botswana, the paper then identifies typical barriers and constraints to its ready adoptionby the private sector and proposes measures for overcoming them. The paper concludes that acarefully crafted, pro-active approach to technology transfer is necessary to ensure the sustainabilityof the Otta seal in countries where it is being introduced for the first time.
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