Covid-19 to catapult ICT growth

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THE country’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is set for a boom in the aftermath of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic as players are expected to intensify strategies of coming up with products and services tailor-made for specific sectors.

Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the unprecedented circumstances induced by the Covid-19 pandemic have seen an accelerated demand and uptake of ICT-based solutions across all sectors of the economy in Zimbabwe and beyond our borders.

“The ICT industry is expected to have an enormous market boom during and post this pandemic as a result of the increased demand for software and social media platforms in the areas of teleworking, telemedicine, food delivery and logistics, online and contactless payments, remote learning, virtual events and entertainment,” he said.

Minister Muswere added that the uptake of ICT products and services has already increased in the wake of Covid-19 as more people embrace the internet and technology in their bid to be safe while also ensuring effective communication.

“The ICT industry is expected to blossom because, during this crisis, people have understood the importance of the internet and technology as this is helping us stay safe and helping in the communication between the authorities and the public.

“Teleconferencing tools such as WhatsApp Video call, Zoom and Microsoft teams have helped the people who are in quarantine to stay in touch with their family members as well as have conference meetings and work at the same time,” he said.

Minister Muswere said post-Covid-19, the Government would continue to invest in a full-scale digital infrastructure as spelt out in the Smart Zimbabwe Master Plan and Digital Infrastructure Masterplan.

“A majority of public services will be provided virtually through a secure, reliable and expansive communications infrastructure nationwide. Virtual learning platforms for students at all levels, even at public schools with limited resources, will be developed to enable students to learn despite prolonged periods of school closure.

“The Government of Zimbabwe will continue to pursue the digital transformation agenda and its efforts to build various e-Government systems. Covid-19 has been a test for every system, from the country to individual level. It is a reminder that Zimbabwe could benefit a great deal from digitalised services,” he said.

Minister Muswere said ICT players are expected to come up with software applications that suit and apply to various economic sectors.

“Zimbabwean entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the creation of locally relevant content and applications that will increase Zimbabwe’s web presence and build a software industry. Embracing 5G (fifth generation mobile network), AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Big data diagnostic capabilities will aid surveillance and forecasting in the health and agriculture sectors,” he said.

An expert in ICT, Mr Prosper Mutswiri said the post-Covid-19 era would present an opportunity for players in the sector to formulate new technological innovations and solutions compatible with each sector in the country’s economy.

“It’s going to be a very exciting time (post-Covid-19) for the ICT sector, as every business shall need to intertwine its operations with ICT solutions. So, ICT shall be a necessity, it shall be part of business in every trade one is in. Businesses will require ICT solutions and players (in the ICT sector) will have to formulate tailor-made solutions that will answer the timely needs of their clients,” he said.

Mr Mutswiri said most businesses have already started requesting for a number of services such as Working from Home Solutions and Cloud Hosting Services.

“ICT companies should adopt what we call Bespoke ICT solutions. Bespoke ICT solutions is the new direction of their services where they tailor-make solutions for each trade and business,” he said.

Mr Mutswiri further stated that there would likely to be a reduction of office space cost in the aftermath of Covid-19 as most businesses are set to implement new technologies such as virtual offices.

“Post Covid-19 will also see reduction of office costs and new opportunities will emerge in the form of space redesign, remote working systems, software business, Cloud Solutions and other collaboration services, distributed workforce and these calling for platforms. Basically, the new direction of the ICT sector is in the provision of Bespoke solutions if they are to keep their relevance in the new business world,” he said.

The term “bespoke” comes from England where it originally referred to custom or tailor-made clothing. In recent years, however, the term has been applied to IT, and refers to custom services or products. For example, bespoke software is software customised for a specific purpose. Mr Mutswiri said this was the opportune time for ICT companies to invest more in research and innovation.

“ICT companies shall need to invest in research and innovation more than ever before. They shall need to also invest in customer experience and customer relationship management more than ever before,” he said. – @DNsingo