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implored all stakeholders to implement information security structures that safeguard the country ICTs.
“As online access becomes easier, and as more people spend time online, we are creating a fertile environment for cyber crime, cyber espionage and the activity of hackers.
“I urge Zimbabwean businesses to take full advantage of the benefits of the internet whilst at the same time taking reasonable steps to mitigate the risks,” he said.
He also indicated that Government has created an enabling environment for ICT growth through the introduction of a waiver of duty on ICT products and most recently the proclamtion of the Statutory Instrument for the removal of duty on computer software.
“Let me, however, hasten to say that we expect to see a corresponding response from you are offering to the end user/consumers,” he said.
The minister’s words should act as a warning to some unscrupulous ICT companies that do not want to extend this gesture to their customers through corresponding price reductions on these products.
Some stakeholders who attended the event said although the reduction of duty on ICTs has been properly enunciated, there were still problems at the border posts where Zimra officials were not abiding by the provision of the statutory instruments.
This, they said was prevalent at the country busiest port of entry, Beitbridge Border post.
That said, this year’s ICT Africa event was a time to take stock and measure our achievements as a country.
This was not just a ceremonial event but rather a yardstick to evaluate our growth where results can be measured by the number of exhibitors and the products on show.
While it is evident that we have come a long way in terms of ICTs, we have every reason to celebrate but it is also crucial to note that we are not yet there.
There are still some outstanding issues that we need to address as a country going forward.
The capacity of our Internet Service Providers is a cause for concern that needs urgent attention.
Most of our ISPs are facing serious viability challenges that have not spared some of our prominent ISPs.
Some of the challenges include their failure to access class A and B licences due to prohibitive rates charged by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
Potraz is asking for an initial licence fee of US$4 million and an annual licence fee of 3 percent of the audited annual gross turnover, or US$100 000.
A new ISP, in this instance, would need to engage in some serious marketing to generate a lot of income that would keep up with these conditions.
This is just tip of the iceberg when it comes to ICT issues, which needs urgent attention.
Such issues need bodies who can bark as much as they can bite.
We also have had a proliferation of fake ICT products on the local market, which needs to be addressed.
These were some of the highlights that headlined the ICT Africa event.
Another significant event that occurred during the event was the name change of the organisers from the Computer Suppliers Association of Zimbabwe (COMSA) to ICT Suppliers’ Association of Zimbabwe.
According to a COMSA official, the name change was meant to broaden the scope of ICT issues that fall under Association.

l The writer is a computing specialist with TechnoMag, more on our Facebook page http://facebook.com/ technomagzw. LIKE our facebook page for free airtime  giveaways. Website http://tech.co.zw. Twitter @technomagzw. Email: [email protected]/ictarticles@ tech.co.zw