Zimbabwe Charts Digital Future as ICT Investment Grows and Connectivity Expands
Among the major achievements highlighted was the finalisation of Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and National Cybersecurity Strategy, aimed at fostering a secure, innovative, and resilient digital ecosystem.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation following a high-level ICTPCS stakeholders’ engagement meeting held on Tuesday.
The meeting reviewed key milestones achieved in 2025 and outlined priorities for driving economic transformation under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, with digital development positioned as a central enabler of growth and inclusion.
Among the major achievements highlighted was the finalisation of Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and National Cybersecurity Strategy, aimed at fostering a secure, innovative, and resilient digital ecosystem. The Ministry also reported significant progress in expanding digital inclusion through initiatives such as the Presidential Internet Scheme, Telemedicine programmes, Digital Skills Ambassadors, and the rollout of Community Digital Centres across the country.
Investment in the ICT sector recorded notable growth, with ICT investment increasing by 14.5%, alongside improvements in connectivity. Zimbabwe’s mobile penetration reached 103%, while internet penetration climbed to 83%, reflecting growing access to digital services nationwide.
Hon. Mavetera emphasized that digital skills development, inclusivity, and public–private partnerships remain critical pillars in the country’s ambition to build a fully digital economy by 2030.
During the engagement, stakeholders raised key concerns including high data costs, infrastructure gaps in rural areas, and the need to accelerate local manufacturing of ICT hardware, such as laptops, to improve affordability and build technical skills. The Minister acknowledged these challenges and assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to working closely with fiscal authorities, local governments, and industry players to address the issues and fast-track practical digital transformation.
Hon. Mavetera also expressed appreciation to industry partners for their continued collaboration, including TelOne Zimbabwe, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, NetOne Cellular, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Dandemutande, DFA, IMC, Powertel Communications, ZARNet, the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, Aura Group, DHL, Zimpost, and POTRAZ, noting that their partnerships are vital to achieving Zimbabwe’s digital development goals.
