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John Nyashanu in HIROSHIMA, Japan
SOLUTION providers in the ICT sector have been challenged to come up with simple innovations understandable to users in developing countries.

The call was made by ICT Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dr Win Mlambo in his address at the 2015 ICT Indicators Symposium in Japan on Monday where experts from the sector worldwide are meeting to discuss international policy and measurement topics.

“It defeats the whole purpose to come up with solutions inappropriate to users in developing countries. Once solutions are complicated, targeted results won’t be achieved. Innovations have to be tailor-made for users in regions like rural areas.

“For example, why not come up with a charging system for mobile phones which uses wind energy? This will assist the majority of our people in those areas who cannot afford current devises, more so as some countries like Zimbabwe face challenges of electricity,” said Dr Mlambo.

He added that ICTs can play an important role in the successful implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and transform livelihoods of ordinary people across the world.

“For example if we provide medical information on cellphones and hand them over to clinics where medical doctors are not available, what is the impact on mortality rate to that community?

“If we connect a school to internet, what result does it bring to the pass rate and ultimate development of those students? Benefits are bountiful,” said Mlambo.

In Zimbabwe, the country’s first mobile telecommunications company, NetOne is currently rolling out the Long Term Evolution (LTE) which is set to make such facilities a reality.

However, as most countries here are expressing determination to embrace ICTs for the benefit of all their citizens, others like Madagascar look contented with piece meal solutions.

In an interview, the country’s Director for the ICT Regulatory body Jean Rakotomalala said rural communities are not in their immediate plans.

“We are only concentrating on schools and universities in our ICT programs in Madagascar. In most rural areas of our country, network is not even available. Now considering our poverty levels, this ambition can only remain a pipe dream,” said Rakotomalala.

The symposium, which has drawn more than 500 delegates, including two deputy prime ministers and 15 ministers from throughout the world, ends today.