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Michael Makuza, Business Reporter
DHL Zimbabwe commercial officer, Mr Robert Gonye, says the digital connectivity strides being registered in the country are critical in unlocking new business opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and promoting wider business growth.

Speaking during World Post Day 2022 Commemorations held at Luveve suburb in Bulawayo on Friday, Mr Gonye commended the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), as a Government agency, for leading the way in championing digital connectivity in both rural and urban areas.

Using the universal services fund and through partnerships with private sector players, Potraz has facilitated base station expansion across the country, as well as establishing Community Information Centres (CIC), which are becoming centres of empowerment.

“We want to honour the steps in making and uplifting the postal industry of this day in helping people around the country to get connected and have access to the Internet, which will allow them to carry out researches that will empower them through innovations, especially for the young people,” said Mr Gonye.

“Progress is not a one-man band or a business agenda. Rather it’s a collective movement such as the gathering we have here today, marking the significance of what technology in the right hands with the right leadership will yield and enter a collective force of a unified global nation and economy, which empowers its people through technology, strategy and deliberate actions for generations to come.”

Minister Jenfan Muswere

During the event, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, officially launched seven CICs for Queens Park, North End, Hillside, Belmont, Pumula, Magwegwe and Luveve suburbs.

The initiative by the Government through Potraz buttresses the National Development Strategy (NDS1) ideals, which emphasise the need to develop a vibrant digital economy as one of the 14 national pillars for the period 2021 to 2025.

Experts concur that ICTs can avail information relevant to agricultural production, processing, marketing, transport and food storage, education, healthcare, disease control, as well as environmental management.

As such, Mr Gonye said the massive rollout of CICs speaks volumes about the Government’s efforts and vision to digitise the nation and bridge the digital divide.

Post and Telecommunications Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz)

“The celebrations and the journey of success stories are not ending here or now. It’s our story as a country and we will continue to write it every day until those who will know what communication postal is all about and generations to come will speak of it,” he said.

Potraz has so far established 170 CICs countrywide to achieve equitable access to information and bridge the digital divide between urban and rural communities.