As the year 2015 comes to an end most people will remember it for the activity around ICT legislation and government’s involvement in the shaping of issues around technology.
Infrastructure sharing was catalysed by a 90-day ultimatum, discussions around the Cyber Crime Bill which was initially thought to be years away was brought forward and the government claimed a bigger stake in local telecoms. We even had final discussions and recommendations around the national ICT Policy.
POTRAZ, the local telecoms regulator signed a $300,000 agreement with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that will facilitate the introduction of telemedicine services in 2016 for rural clinics and hospitals.
Starting in January, remote public health facilities will be accessing telemedicine facilities that include online diagnosis, remote consultation for specific conditions, communication of information such as broadcasting of alerts and updates on potential outbreaks.
Read more: ZW: Opportunities for eHealth emerge as POTRAZ partners ITU for rural telemedicine
One piece of legislation which is meant to complement the National ICT Policy is the Electronic Communications and Electronic Commerce Draft Bill. This bill seeks to achieve a number of objectives that are associated with electronic communications and e-commerce.
Firstly, it seeks to promote the legal certainty and enforceability of electronic transactions and electronic commerce. Secondly, the draft Bill seeks to grant legal recognition to electronic communications and writing. Thirdly, the draft Bill is to provide for the legal effect of electronic signatures and secure electronic signatures.
Read more: Some thoughts on Zimbabwe’s Electronic Communications & E-commerce Draft Bill
Government sees information, communication and technology (ICT) as a key enabler for economic development towards the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
This comes as government seeks to target 33% of Zimbabwe’s population living in urban environments through ICTs in growing urban infrastructure.
ICT minister Supa Mandiwanzira told stakeholders at the 6th edition of the Zimbabwe ICT Achievers Awards 2015 that the sector was a key enabler for development.
Government has affirmed its commitment to develop the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector despite the national security risks associated with use of the Internet.
In a speech read on his behalf during a Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe chapter- organised civil society Internet governance conference in Harare yesterday, ICT minister Supa Mandiwanzira said stakeholders should fully utilise enormous opportunities created by the Internet.
Read more: ZW: Govt affirms commitment to develop ICT sector