Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Zimeye
Published on 2024-03-10 12:00:00
In a keynote address at the launch of the National ICT Policies and the commissioning of the Fibre Optic Backbone Network in Somabhula, Midlands Province, President Mnangagwa reiterated that Zimbabwe is open for business. The event marked the unveiling of three crucial policies: the Reviewed National ICT Policy, the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master-Plan, and the National Broadband Plan.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters and stakeholders, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the people of Somabhula and the Midlands Province for their overwhelming support during the 2023 Harmonised General Elections. He commended their unity, organization, and grassroots mobilization, urging them to continue their unwavering support for the ZANU PF party.
The President emphasized the importance of the policies being launched in alignment with the National Development Strategy. These policies aim to ensure that all communities have access to affordable, fast, and secure digital technologies. In a world where societies and economies heavily rely on ICTs, the National ICT Policy plays a crucial role in promoting digital innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, while enhancing cyber-security measures.
Furthermore, the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Masterplan seeks to create more dynamic societies through technology utilization, ultimately improving the quality of life for all citizens. President Mnangagwa stressed the need for digital technologies to extend beyond social media and entertainment, urging their application to enhance service delivery in sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Zimbabwe’s leadership in the Smart Agriculture Flagship Project under the Smart Africa Alliance highlights the country’s commitment to leveraging ICT and geo-spatial technologies for weather prediction, land planning, and crop assessments. The National Broadband Plan underscores the government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide and ensuring universal access to high-speed internet connectivity.
President Mnangagwa called on all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations, businesses, and the general public, to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the policies. He emphasized the importance of utilizing ICTs to protect and promote Zimbabwe’s identity, unity, peace, and development, while discouraging the spread of false or malicious information.
Under the mantra “Zimbabwe is open for business,” the government is granting licenses to additional service providers to expand the Backbone Network Facilities and Network Services, with the aim of increasing internet connectivity and ensuring affordability for all communities. The President commended the investment by Bandwidth and Cloud Services (BCS) Group Limited in partnership with Dandemutande, which is set to enhance internet access through the fiber backbone project.
The project’s integration with the existing infrastructure of the National Railways of Zimbabwe demonstrates innovative utilization of resources to provide data links and Wi-Fi hotspots at railway sidings and stations. President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to all involved in the project and concluded his address with a message of appreciation to the audience.
Read the original article on The Zimbabwe Eye
