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Leonard Ncube – [email protected]

The GOVERNMENT is tirelessly working to improve the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector as a key enabler for socio-economic development and a vehicle for cooperation and regional integration, an official has said.

Officially opening the stakeholder Validation Workshop for the Framework of Cooperation in ICT Development, Sustainability, and the Regional Action Plan, which is being held by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in Victoria Falls yesterday, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Permanent Secretary Dr Beullah Chirume said digital transformation has helped revolutionise the financial, farming, health, mining, and other sectors.

She said collaboration and partnerships that bring value are important in line with SDG 17, which aims to strengthen global partnerships.

The validation workshop seeks to develop a regionally coordinated public and private sector ICT framework.

All COMESA member states, joined by other countries such as Namibia, Mozambique, and the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Indian Ocean Commission, SADC, and secretariats of different regional ICT associations, are attending the workshop, which ends on Wednesday.

COMESA states hired a consultant, Cerfodes, in February to review existing instruments related to regional ICT development and institutional cooperation.

Dr Chirume said Zimbabwe was pushing a capacity agenda to train and impart ICT skills to everyone to effectively use technology in their respective areas.

“The workshop aims to validate a framework of cooperation that can be used to foster synergy, address shared goals, and ensure accountability in implementing set strategies. Let me emphasise the importance of a sustainability strategy and framework for cooperation as it focuses on connectivity and infrastructure, policy and regulation, digital inclusion, and capacity building.

“The plan aims to address critical challenges such as broadband connectivity in underserved areas, cross-border interconnectivity, cybersecurity, digital literacy, and climate resilience. We must continue to work together as a continent to benefit from partnerships,” said Dr Chirume.

She said having a regional digital plan would enhance integration.

“The pervasive nature of ICT means that it can work as an enabler of all sectors of the economy, whether in finance, smart education, or health. So, we are saying that in all aspects of the economy, ICT is crucial and a backbone that will enable the efficient delivery of services. This is what we want to see Zimbabwe doing in line with Vision 2030, and that can only happen when we have fully embraced ICT,” she said.

She said Zimbabwe’s economy would leapfrog and move faster in terms of regulating ICT, riding on sound policies and collaboration with other players and organisations locally and regionally.

The Permanent Secretary said Zimbabwe has made significant strides in mobile penetration, which stands at 96.7%, 78.55% for internet penetration, and broadband penetration at 76.37% as of the second quarter.

She said this was crucial as it had capacitated ordinary citizens, especially in underserved areas.

The Government has also introduced the Universal Services Fund to improve ICT development and is enhancing the establishment of passive infrastructure for communities.

Dr Chirume added: “It is a very crucial initiative that promotes the growth and development of ICT and telecommunications in our region and entire communities as we all move towards the digital economy. As partners in COMESA and Africa, we can work together to harmonise policies across our borderless ICT countries.

“The Republic of Zimbabwe acknowledges the value of ICT, particularly their pervasive nature and contribution to economic growth and sustainable development across all sectors. As Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of ICT, we are at the forefront of ensuring that all Zimbabweans have access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity through targeted digital access and infrastructure expansion.”

She said the Government had put in place policies and regulations that enhance the sector.

COMESA Director of Infrastructure, Dr Bernard Dzwanda, said the overall objective of the EGEE-ICT programme is to deepen regional integration and the growth of the ICT sector in the region.

He said the EGEE-ICT programme would benefit member states and help in the socio-economic and sustainable development of the region through digital development, poverty reduction, infrastructure, and more.

“It is vital that the enabling environment for ICT sector development is supported, given the role it plays in economic development through a multi-stakeholder approach involving RECs and countries. ICT plays a pivotal role in enabling socio-economic development by driving innovation, increasing efficiency, and improving accessibility to essential services.

“The ICT sector, as we know it, is a key enabler that promotes the development of other sectors such as health, education, and transport, among others. COMESA considers ICT as one of its priority sectors in enabling development and overall regional integration, and therefore, ensures that initiatives such as the EGEE-ICT programme are given utmost attention to succeed,” he said.

-@ncubeleon