Chronicle Reporter
DIGITAL infrastructure must move beyond connecting people to creating meaningful economic opportunities, enabling businesses of all sizes to compete, innovate and participate in Africa’s growing digital economy, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe chief executive officer, Ms Lorreta Songola, has said.
Speaking during the recent 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition debates in Harare where she participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “The Digital Backbone: Scaling AI, Data and
Digital Trade Infrastructure”, Ms Songola said digital transformation can only become inclusive when SMEs, start-ups, schools, public institutions and businesses in the country’s smaller towns can access the same underlying connectivity that larger organisations access.
“If digital infrastructure and new technologies are to translate into real productivity gains for businesses of every size, and not only for the largest firms, access must be a priority,” she said.
“For, only with access can Zimbabwe experience real digital transformation.”
Ms Songola reiterated that for access to be a possibility, however, there was need for it to affordable. She told delegates that for many businesses, the cost and complexity of adopting technology was a hindrance.
“We, therefore, need models that let businesses consume connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity and digital services according to their needs, without making significant upfront investments,” she said.
Ms Songola was responding to a session question on what COMESA needs to invest in over the next 12 to 24 months so that digital infrastructure and new technologies translate into real productivity gains for businesses of every size, and not only for the largest firms.
Facilitated by the Director General of the Postal and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Dr Gift Machengete, the session also featured Mr Ahmad Hamwi, RINATO Space, Zambia, Ms.
Hope Situmbeko, Director, Southern Africa, TradeMark Africa and Mr. Wallace Tapiwa Gara, EduNova Solutions.
Ms Songola also called for greater regional alignment within the COMESA region, saying although COMESA was working towards a more integrated market, businesses still encountered different regulatory and digital environments across borders.
The call reasonates with calls by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who challenges businesses across the COMESA region to forge partnerships that boost intra-regional trade, investment and job creation as member states to build an integrated regional market.
Zimbabwe hosted the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit last week where President Mnangagwa took over the COMESA chairmanship.
“When we look at Zimbabwe, with more than 6.4 million people connected to the internet, are we making it easier for them? An entrepreneur in Mutare reaching customers across the region, a farmer in Gokwe using information to make better production decisions, a student in Binga accessing learning resources beyond the classroom and small business in Bulawayo competing beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
Have we made it easier for them to do what they do? When we do, then digital infrastructure will become a productivity and trade enabler,” said Ms Songola.
