Zimbabwe Youth Launch Community Computer Lab with Starlink Connectivity
At the launch event in Matapi, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of ICTPCS, applauded the youth for demonstrating what’s possible when communities take digital transformation into their own hands.
In a bold step toward digital inclusion, the youth of Mbare, Zimbabwe, have launched a community computer lab equipped with Starlink internet—marking a significant milestone in local innovation and grassroots empowerment.
The new lab, developed under the Mbare Renewal Projects, was built by local youth who refused to wait for outside intervention. Instead, they constructed the facility themselves before seeking support from the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services (ICTPCS ) and its partners. That initiative was rewarded with critical backing: a set of computers and a Starlink kit to guarantee fast, reliable internet connectivity.
At the launch event in Matapi, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of ICTPCS, applauded the youth for demonstrating what’s possible when communities take digital transformation into their own hands.
These young people are not just dreaming of the future—they are building it”
-Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of ICTPCS, Zimbabwe.
The facility is more than a computer lab. It is a multipurpose digital hub, now offering:
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Workstations for students, entrepreneurs, and creators
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Access to digital skills training
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Reliable high-speed internet via Starlink
With support from the Ministry, the lab is expected to:
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Bridge the local digital divide
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Empower youth with essential 21st-century competencies
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Reframe narratives about Mbare as a place of potential, not limitation
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Hon. Minister Paul Mavima, Deputy Minister Albert Mavunga, and representatives of the Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs office.
This development places Zimbabwe among a growing number of African nations turning to satellite solutions like Starlink to expand internet access in underserved communities. As Starlink continues to find footholds across the continent, grassroots-driven models like the Mbare project demonstrate how connectivity can be made meaningful through community-led action.
