Zimbabwe is taking bold steps to ensure that no community is left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey, with the Government pledging to extend technology-driven development to every corner of the country.
Speaking during the 2025 Innovation Expo and Conference in Bulawayo on Friday last week, Deputy Minister of Information, Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services, Dingumuzi Phuti, said through deliberate policy interventions, public-private partnerships and community-focused programmes, the Government is working tirelessly to ensure that digital transformation covers the whole country.
“Through deliberate policy interventions, public-private partnerships, and community-focused programmes, the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services is working tirelessly to ensure that digital transformation reaches every household, every classroom, every farm and every innovation hub across Zimbabwe,” he said.
Deputy Minister Phuti commended the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz)’s “visionary platform” for offering not just a glimpse into the country’s digital future, but a roadmap for how to achieve it.
He said President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind” was a guiding principle, not a slogan.
“In this context, the digital economy is not a luxury. It is a necessity, a catalyst for development and a foundation for inclusive growth. We have witnessed first-hand the extraordinary ingenuity of Zimbabwean innovators,” he said.
From smart cities to fourth industrial revolution solutions for environmental conservation, from Agritech designed to secure the country’s food supply to Fintech that expands financial access, Deputy Minister Phuti said the technologies on display were not “mere prototypes” but practical tools for national progress.
“The networks forged here between local innovators, global partners, policymakers and financiers are the vital arteries through which the lifeblood of our digital economy will flow. What we have seen here is not just innovation for innovation’s sake, but sustainability for empowerment and growth,” he said.
The deputy minister stressed that the thematic pillars of smart cities, sustainable infrastructure and environmental conservation, AgriTech, food security, FinTech and economic growth were the “building blocks of Zimbabwe’s digital future.”
“Our President constantly reminds us that ‘Zimbabwe is open for business.’ This Expo embodies that principle. The emphasis on ‘building localised capacity’ directly answers His Excellency’s directive to develop home-grown solutions and empower our people,” he said.
Deputy Minister Phuti also said Zimbabwe seeks partnerships that bring knowledge, investment and market access while contributing local innovations to the global stage. Leveraging open technologies, he added, will ensure innovation remains inclusive, accessible and free from prohibitive barriers.
“This is the path to an inclusive digital economy, one where Zimbabwe’s unique solutions drive sustainable national development while making their mark on the global innovation map,” he said.
Organised by Potraz, the four-day event brought together innovators, policymakers, global partners and investors at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Conference Centre and Smart City.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Mthabisi Tshuma
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von: / This article is republished from: Herald Online, 03.08.2025
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