Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
ZIMBABWEAN-born International Telecommunication Union (ITU) official Dr Cosmas Zavazava says he mobilised more than US$80 million in extra-budgetary resources and secured 302 partnership agreements during his first four-year term, as he seeks re-election to the influential United Nations telecommunications post.
Dr Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), said the achievements had strengthened the organisation’s Development Sector, expanded private sector participation and supported connectivity and digital skills projects, particularly in developing countries.
He outlined his record while making a virtual pitch to delegates attending the Arab Region’s Regional Preparatory Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while he was in Muscat, Oman, with the ITU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance Board.
Also attending the meeting in Oman was fellow Zimbabwean Dr Gift Machengete, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) director-general and a member of the alliance board.
Zimbabwe has announced Dr Zavazava’s candidature for another term ahead of elections scheduled for next month. Six ITU regions have held Regional Preparatory Meetings ahead of the polls, with the Arab Region’s gathering in Saudi Arabia marking the final meeting.
Dr Zavazava said his tenure had attracted more than 200 new members from industry, the private sector and academia to the Development Sector, describing the figure as the highest recorded in the organisation’s history.
“I joined the meeting in Riyadh virtually and made my pitch during which I emphasised sustained progress built on the existing tangible achievements, solid leadership and progress.
“My achievements over the past four years include 302 partnership agreements, increased engagement with industry, private sector and academia that attracted over 200 new members in the development sector (a record breaking number) and resource mobilisation of over $80 million extra-budgetary resources that has been financing impactful projects across the globe and augmented existing regular budget resources,” he said.
He said the resources had helped finance connectivity and digital skills initiatives around the world, complementing the ITU’s regular budget and extending support to countries working to close the digital divide.
Another major highlight of his tenure was the organisation of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 17 to 28 last year.
Dr Zavazava said the conference was the most attended and successful in the ITU’s history, attracting more than 2 000 delegates and 139 high-level dignitaries, including ministers.
“I also reported that I organised the most attended and successful World Telecommunication Development Conference held for the first time in the CIS region in Baku, Azerbaijan from 17 to 28 November 2025 which was attended by over 2000 delegates and 139 VIPs (Ministerial level),” he said.
Looking ahead to a possible second term, Dr Zavazava said he would prioritise bridging digital divides, closing digital skills gaps and accelerating digital transformation through stronger international partnerships.
“I outlined my three focus areas in the coming four years which include bridging existing digital divides, bridging the digital skills divide, and accelerating digital transformation driven by south-south and north- south partnerships.
“These would be driven by three pillars namely Resilient infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, and inclusiveness,” he said.
Dr Zavazava is the first Zimbabwean to hold the senior ITU position and is a prominent figure in global digital development policy.
His re-election bid comes as countries continue to push for broader access to digital infrastructure, skills and technologies, particularly in underserved communities and developing economies.
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