Leonard Ncube
Information Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed various sectors and facets of life in independent Zimbabwe, thanks to the modernity of policies formulated by President Robert Mugabe’s government. Mobile banking, e-commerce, e-learning, online transactions, voice and video calling are some of the benefits brought by ICT to Zimbabweans.

As the country celebrates its 35th Independence anniversary, there is a lot to reminisce in technological developments. ICT is viewed as critical to the attainment of most goals of the economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.

Zimbabwe’s progress in ICT can be traced from a background of no access to a simple telephone for an ordinary Zimbabwean during the colonial era, to a situation whereby one had to travel long distances to a nearby party line telephone mostly located at post offices.

The turning point came in 1980 when the country attained independence, ushering in a new life for everyone.

President Mugabe’s passion for education and ICT development has seen the country rising to be the best in terms of literacy rate in Africa. Zimbabwe’s literacy rate is above 90 percent.

Among some of the programmes introduced by government is the Community Information Centres concept where each district will have a centre equipped with state-of-the-art ICT equipment to act as a one stop shop for the community.

This would provide a research facility, reading environment and make government business accessible to citizens as information about the country will be made readily available.

ICT, Postal, and Courier Services Minister Cde Supa Mandiwanzira said independence created multi-millionaires in the country due to access to affordable technology.

“Independent Zimbabwe has created dozens of multi-millionaires in the country. Some of them are in the ICT sector and mobile phone business.

Our independence has seen the involvement of technology in the growth of ICT and some of the applications and services have been developed by Zimbabweans,” said Minister Mandiwanzira.

He said the community information centres are being established at the Zimpost offices dotted around the country which are being upgraded and fitted with ICT equipment.

Zimbabweans who became successful in ICT include Econet’s Strive Masiiwa, banker Nigel Chanakira, and former radio personality, James Makamba, among others.

The Innovation Africa Digital (IAD) Summit which ended in Victoria Falls on Thursday, confirmed the progress made by Zimbabwe in ICT development since independence.

The country is also in the process of setting up Techno Parks countrywide. A model concept has already been established outside Harare where all ICT solutions suppliers and telecoms companies will converge to share ideas and develop the sector.

NetOne managing director, Reward Kangai, speaking on the sidelines of the IAD Summit where the mobile operator was the main sponsor, said they were proud to be the product of an independent Zimbabwe.

He said the mobile phone operator was synonymous with the country’s independence as it was the first such company to operate in Zimbabwe.

“We were the first mobile network provider to open in the country. As we look back and juxtapose the situation before independence and the current environment, one needs no further confirmation on our development in ICT as a country.

“We used to have party line telephone as a country but now we boast of world class service. President Mugabe was the first to bring the idea of computerising learning institutions and we’re all here riding on his ideology. It’s up to us as a nation to fulfil the objectives of our liberation struggle by implementing such brilliant ideas especially in the ICT sector. This will help bridge the information gap and enhance the smooth flow of information,” said Kangai.

Potraz acting managing director, Engineer Baxton Sirewu said operating in Zimbabwe was now “more comfortable” because of ICT development brought by the country’s independence.

“There has been tremendous growth in the industry. Remember mobile phones came in 1996 but now we talk about 2G, 3G and even 4G services.

We have three major mobile phone players. After the hyperinflation era, the graph shot up as we now stand at more than 100 percent mobile penetration in terms of active sim cards. We believe there is still room for growth especially with the way our leaders have embraced ICT although there are still some areas that have no network coverage. It’s an open secret that very soon every Zimbabwean will be connected through ICT,” said Eng Sirewu.

The chief executive officer of Rubiem, a pan-African ICT consulting company wholly owned by Zimbabweans, Dr Dennis Magaya said ICT was the panacea to success of Zim-Asset.

He said Zimbabweans have been able to utilise home-grown strategies when opening companies and businesses through ICT and the support from President Mugabe and government whose programmes are pro-empowerment.

The IAD Summit was organised by Extentia.

Extentia Chief Executive Officer Tario Malik said it was a result of independent Zimbabwe that several ICT solution companies opened in the country.

Some of the companies include NetOne, TelOne, Liquid Telecom, Econet and Africom, among others.

“If you compare the situation in post Independence Zimbabwe and the pre-independence country, you find that there is now more room for more players in the industry.

“Despite several embargoes, the country has managed to maintain a unique ICT culture. This is awesome as everybody now knows how rich the country is in terms of resources through ICT. That (information) can be of good use to the development of the country, especially if we keep promoting ICT infrastructure development,” said Malik.

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