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Herald Reporter
THE Government’s digital development targets are anchored on the nation having efficient and affordable access to connectivity, Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera said yesterday.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe annual telecommunications and exhibition 2024, a gathering of telecom professionals, policymakers and industry stakeholders in Harare, Minister Mavetera said all stakeholders were presented with an opportunity to address some of the most pressing challenges facing their industry.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Connecting the Unconnected: Bridging the Digital Divide.”
Minister Mavetera underscored the importance of ensuring universal access to telecommunications services for all Zimbabweans in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“I would be remiss if I did not speak to the telecommunication industry about their important role in shaping the digital development and growth of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Mavetera. “All the digital development targets of the Government are anchored on the nation having efficient, accessible and affordable access to connectivity.
“I want to take this opportunity to implore our operators to look into improving their quality of service. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and connectivity is the key to accessing this Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We cannot access this stratum of advancement while we have in our midst poor connectivity punctuated with dropped calls and data balances that diminish with no explanations. Let us all play our ethical roles in building a telecommunications industry founded on fairness to the consumers.”
The Government’s responsibility was to create an enabling policy environment that supported the realisation of connectivity goals, and the conference provided a platform of open and honest discussions, where gaps in existing policies could be identified and all could work together to enact reforms that facilitated collective vision.
Minister Mavetera said in line with the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra, her Ministry continued to call for and welcome investments in the ICT sector. The sector was honoured and a show of commitment by the Government was displayed when President Mnangagwa launched three National ICT policy documents last week in Somabhula.
“The policy documents attest to the Government’s commitment to not only create a conducive enabling environment for the telecommunications sector to thrive, but they also speak to our stakeholder approach in creating policies,” said Minister Mavetera.
“Government is a partner to the sector and we exist to promote development that improves the lives of our people while also allowing commerce to make profit and contribute to the national economy.”
Online Reporter