By Tendai Matunhu
Zimbabwe and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the advancement of ICT.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2019 that was underway in Budapest, Hungary from 9 to 12 September.
Representing Zimbabwe at the signing ceremony was Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Postal and Courier Services, Kazembe Kazembe whilst Beijing was represented by the Chinese vice president of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Mr Chen Zhaoxiong.
Some of the areas of cooperation in the MoU include the development of fibre optic backbone network, mobile broadband network and Internet connectivity of Zimbabwe. It also includes areas such as the development of international and cross-border land cables as well as international submarine cables, development and operation of international voice and data services in Zimbabwe. Research and development of ICT, establishment of manufacturing, assembling factories in Zimbabwe to develop and assemble ICT products are also areas of cooperation included in the MoU.
Other areas include big data, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data centre technology, software application and product development using cutting-edge technology and speeding up the promotion of mobile and Internet-based applications in areas of industrial convergence application including smart cities. Smart agriculture, smart health, smart education, smart planning and cooperation in the utilisation and management of satellite radio spectrum are also areas included in the MoU.
Mr Chen said the signing of the MoU needs to be operationalised for it to succeed and that it is a guideline that needed to be implemented through private sector companies.
“I would like to applaud our Zimbabwean counterparts for their commitment in making this a success. This is the third time that I have met Minister Kazembe. We need to ensure that we operationalise the contents of this agreement so that the benefits are realised,” he said.
Minister Kazembe concurred with Mr Zhaoxiong saying the private sector played a pivotal role in the development of ICT
“On behalf of my principal His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe (President Mnangagwa), I would like to thank you for the support. As alluded by my colleague (Mr Zhaoxiong), I concur that the private sector plays a significant role in the development of ICTs hence there is need for collaboration so as to implement the areas of collaboration.”
Minister Kazembe also applauded Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE saying they have played a critical role in transforming Zimbabwe’s ICT sector. He went on to say that the Chinese firms operating in the ICT sector in Zimbabwe have assisted in transforming Zimbabwe’s ICT sector as it strives to bridge the digital gap. He said these companies have reinforced the good relationship that Zimbabwe has enjoyed with China.
Minister Kazembe led the Zimbabwean delegation to the ITU Telecom World 2019, which includes Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Dr Sam Kundishora and Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) Director General, Dr Gift Machengete.
The MoU is aimed at creating an enabling environment so that sector players collaborate, and go a long way in reducing the digital divide and contribute to various economic activities.
The ITU Telecom World 2019 is an event that brings together governments, corporates and technological SMEs to exhibit innovative solutions, network, share knowledge and debate with experts. It also brings together small and large-scale exhibitors, investors, innovators and decision-makers and it was running under the theme, “Innovating together, connectivity that matters”.
