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Freedom Mupanedemo-Midlands Bureau

The Second Republic has made significant strides in ensuring the majority of Zimbabweans have access to information communication technologies (ICTs) in line with Vision 2030 of an empowered upper middle income society.

This was said by Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, while officially opening a community information centre in Shurugwi yesterday.

Before opening the one in Shurugwi, Dr Muswere had opened another one in Mbizo, Kwekwe.

The ICT Ministry, he said, was determined to achieve the Smart Zimbabwe target by 2030 through providing internet access to rural schools and communities.

“We have an obligation to make sure that all Zimbabweans have access to ICTs,” said Dr Muswere. 

The Smart Zimbabwe 2030 master plan, once fully rolled out, is expected to see the country achieving a digital economy.

A digital economy is the economic activity that results from billions of everyday online connections among people, businesses, devices, data and processes. 

The backbone of the digital economy is hyperconnectivity, which implies growing interconnectedness of people, organisations, and machines resulting from the internet, mobile technology and the internet of things (IoT).

In line with this, the Ministry is rolling out ICT access projects across the country especially remote areas so as to leave no place and no one behind.

Dr Muswere said Zimbabwe should achieve the standards for a digital economy by the year 2030.

“It’s now the internet world and if pupils don’t have this access, they struggle in their studies,” he said. “The community should not be left behind also, hence the reason we are opening a community information centre in Shurugwi today.

“However, we also believe that internet access alone is not enough. To truly bridge the digital divide, there is need for locally relevant content and tools aimed at creating a platform for crowd sourced content and educating communities on local content production by local creators.” 

Shurugwi villagers said they were happy with the Government’s thrust on ICT access, which is already helping their children in schools.

“You know we have been struggling to buy data for research work for our kids and this programme has come as a relief,” said Mr Ronald Nyoni.

Ms Melody Mamombe said the pass rate in local schools was now expected to improve.

“In rural areas our schools were recording low pass rates because our kids had no access to internet which is now a major information access tool. We are, thus, very happy with this Government programme,” she said.