Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
DEPUTY Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzi Phuti is leading Zimbabwe’s delegation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, as the country steps up its campaign for the re-election of Zimbabwean-born Dr Cosmas Zavazava as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Dr Zavazava, who has headed the ITU’s BDT since January 2023, is seeking a second term at the ITU’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), where the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau will be elected. He is listed by the ITU as Zimbabwe’s candidate for the position.
Deputy Minister Phuti is leading the Zimbabwean delegation as the country seeks to mobilise regional support for Dr Zavazava’s candidacy during the ITU Regional Development Forum for the Commonwealth of Independent States (RDF-CIS), which is being held in Dushanbe from September 29 to 30.
The forum is being organised by the ITU and hosted by the Communication Service under the Government of Tajikistan.
Held under the theme “Universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future,” the forum brings together governments, the private sector, academia, development partners, financial institutions and other ICT stakeholders to discuss digital development priorities.
The Dushanbe engagement provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to engage other ITU member states ahead of the PP-26 elections while also participating in discussions on the development of the ICT sector.
Dr Zavazava has more than 30 years’ experience in telecommunications, including more than two decades working in the ITU’s Development Sector.
Before becoming BDT Director, he served as ITU Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development, where he was involved in development projects, strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation.
He previously headed the ITU’s Projects and Knowledge Management function and worked on projects involving capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, e-waste management, gender, youth and people with special needs.
He also previously headed Zimbabwe’s Government Telecommunications Agency and served as a senior diplomat.
The ITU describes his work as focused on closing the digital and skills divide and accelerating digital transformation for socio-economic development.
The Zimbabwean campaign follows the country’s earlier decision to support his candidature for another term.
The RDF-CIS will also feature Partner2Connect matchmaking sessions aimed at connecting country and regional development needs with financial and other commitments. The ITU says more than US$100 billion in pledges have so far been announced under the initiative.
The forum is being held back-to-back with the 66th meeting of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications Board of Ministers and the 33rd Coordination Council of CIS Member States for Informatisation.
The ITU brings together 194 national governments and more than 1 000 companies and organisations to advance global connectivity.
Zimbabwe’s participation in Dushanbe therefore combines its campaign for Dr Zavazava with broader engagement on digital connectivity, investment, ICT development and international cooperation ahead of the November 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
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