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Chronicle Reporter
ACHIEVING an information-driven society and a knowledge-based economy is one of the main Government priorities towards an upper middle-income country as espoused in Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.

Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said this during a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Infrastructure and Innovation Summit held virtually last Thursday.

The notion of a 4IR generally refers to the ongoing global automation of traditional manufacturing processes and industrial practices, using modern smart technology.

The minister said Zimbabwe was focused on embracing ICT as a vehicle for socio-economic development, as alluded to in the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master plan. Global Renaissance Investments organised the summit, which ran under the theme: “Unlocking 4IR Infrastructure to yield the vision 2030”.

In order to realise the 4IR gains, Dr Muswere said the Government, working closely with private sector players, was facilitating the development of a robust and reliable ICT infrastructure across the country.

Guided by the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, he said this should enable the country to tap into technological evolutions such artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things and other areas of the ICT sector, as part of strategies addressing changing public needs and evolving global trends.

“In order to achieve Smart Zimbabwe 2030, a secure and reliable ICT infrastructure is of paramount importance. For ICT to have a positive impact on development there needs to be, at the very least, extensive, affordable and equitable access to communications infrastructure,” said the minister.

He said the objective of having a robust ICT infrastructure was to ensure inclusive access to digital technologies by all Zimbabweans, which will fully empower them to contribute to national development.

This is consistent with the ideals of the global Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing competitiveness towards formidable economic development.

Without access to ICTs, Dr Muswere said citizens cannot actively participate in the socio-economic development agenda of the country.

“Access to ICTs is therefore not a luxury and a preserve for the elite,” he said.

As such, the minister said a range of interventions were already being implemented to enhance ICTs impact and these include; mobile infrastructure roll out and optimisation to increase network coverage, data centre services expansion, optimisation of optic fibre backbone network, internet gateway upgrade and deployment of computers, internet connectivity and assistive software tools to institutions.

Dr Muswere said the scope of works under his portfolio buttresses the National Development Strategy (NDS1:2021-2025), in which ICTs form part of the 14 national priorities for the five-year period.

“The Government, therefore, is committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation to flourish in the country by providing a forward looking and adaptable policy environment,” said Dr Muswere.

“The thrust to promote innovation should therefore be intensified. We should equally prioritize Research and Development in order to keep abreast with ICT technological advancements.”