by Letty Mabhena
The establishment of the first top of the range computer plant in the country by the Zimbabwe Technology Company (ZITCO), a joint venture between TelOne and Chinese entity Inspur would go a long way in promoting the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the country and enabling sustainable economic development as the nation trudges towards vision 2030.
Over the years, the shift towards technology-driven solutions is on the increase in Zimbabwe as evidenced by the high uptake of ICT systems across the divide. Day to day business operations, individual life and governance processes now take shape within the digital horizon. The integration of digital technologies into everyday life is a reality that both urban and rural citizens have to grapple with. For instance most Zimbabwean banks have adopted mobile and e-banking where most citizens can do their transactions at the comfort of their own homes.
The ICTs have become a major driver of economic activity with businesses now investing more resources in modern technology development. This has generally opened a wider window of opportunity for investment in ICT infrastructure, software and manpower development.
Over the years, government has made several efforts in promoting the use of ICTs in various sectors of the economy. The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services through institutions such as the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has been setting up Community Information Centres in all the country’s 10 provinces in a bid to ensure that the uptake of ICTs is spread to even the previously marginalized communities and that ICTs are used as a vehicle for development.
Since 2011, government has implemented the e-government programme as part of the public sector reforms in order to re-engineer, re-invigorate and modernize the public sector systems and processes to improve service delivery to the people using ICTs. Various government ministries and departments adopted the e-government programme with notable projects such as Online Passport Application System, E-Taxation – Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, E-health at Chitungwiza Hospital, Online Liquor Application System, Public Finance Management System, E-Visa – Department of Immigration and High-Performance Computing System (HPCS).
Yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa toured ZITCO - the first ever ICT assembly plant in Zimbabwe that assembles computers, laptops, tablets and other technological gadgets, and has the capacity to produce 150 000 gadgets per annum at its TelOne Msasa plant.
Thus, the above cross-cutting effect of ICTs presents ZITCO with more benefits for the company itself and the nation at large. Firstly, the huge demand for ICT gadgets in the country offers the company with an already existing market to make tailor made products to suit the Zimbabweans’ taste. This effectively means that the company would be able to grow and enjoy guaranteed profits from the domestic market.
Turning to national benefits, the country is also earmarked to reap maximum rewards from the setting up of the first computer factory. ZITCO products would go a long way in substituting the importation of technological gadgets mainly from suppliers in China, Dubai and other various suppliers across the world. Thus, the nation’s import bill will be significantly reduced, enabling the country to save the much-needed foreign currency.
In future, maximum benefits can also be realised from the exporting of the ZITCO ICT gadgets to the SADC region, Africa and the rest of the world, once again earning more forex.
Availability of affordable local assembled gadgets also enables Zimbabwean companies to advance their technological capabilities as they would have access to top of the range ICT devices. Local companies would be able to retool, modernise and develop tailor made software to improve efficiency in their production systems and service delivery to the people.
The ZITCO products would also contribute to the growth of the ICT industry in the country as it has downstream opportunities for local small to medium enterprises that are into software development, marketing and distribution of ICT products. This goes a long way in the creation of more employment opportunities for Zimbabweans.
Lastly, with easy access to ICT gadgets, tech savvy young Zimbabweans would be able to learn latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in various institutions of learning.
