Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT is working to end fragmented digital systems across public institutions to improve service delivery and eliminate the inconvenience of citizens being repeatedly asked for the same information, Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera has said.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 2026 Potraz Innovation Expo and Conference in Bulawayo recently, Minister Mavetera said the integration of Government systems was critical to building an efficient digital economy and improving the ease of accessing public services.
She said the continued operation of institutions in silos was not only inconveniencing citizens but was also limiting innovation.
“For Government, this also means addressing fragmented digital systems. Our citizens should not have to navigate repeated requests for the same information because institutions cannot work together,” said Minister Mavetera.
She said common standards and systems are needed to exchange information lawfully and securely.
The minister also challenged industry leaders, financiers, and public institutions to give locally developed innovations a chance to demonstrate their value through practical partnerships and pilot projects.
“Build partnerships that give Zimbabwean solutions a fair opportunity to prove their value. To industry, financiers and public institutions: engage the innovators whose work addresses your needs,” she said.
“Define a practical challenge, agree on the scope of a pilot and set clear measures of success. Test whether a solution reduces machinery downtime, improves product quality, cuts post-harvest losses or saves energy and water. Where it demonstrates value, help it progress towards adoption through the appropriate processes.”
Minister Mavetera urged innovators to consider the wider environment in which their products would operate, including the institutions, systems and people required to maintain them.
“Understand the institution that will use your product, the systems it must connect to, and the people who must maintain it. Sustainable solutions depend on that understanding,” she said.
The minister said inclusion should also be a practical measure of the success of innovation, particularly in ensuring that digital solutions benefit rural communities and people who face barriers such as disability, high data costs and limited connectivity.
“Make inclusion a practical test of every innovation. Ask whether your solution can serve a rural community, a person with a disability, a small trader, or someone using an affordable device with limited connectivity,” she said.
“Consider local languages, data costs and ease of use from the beginning. Invite those users to shape the design. Our ambition must extend to people whose needs are too easily overlooked. A service that works beautifully for a few must be challenged to work usefully for many.”
Minister Mavetera also challenged innovators to work with postal and courier operators to strengthen e-commerce, saying online businesses depended on reliable payment and delivery systems.
“This applies equally to electronic commerce. An online order creates opportunity only when payment is dependable and delivery is reliable,” she said.
Minister Mavetera urged innovators to develop practical solutions with postal and courier operators around tracking, collection and delivery to enable businesses to reach more communities and customers.
She further called on developers and institutions to make data protection and responsible design central to innovation.
“Build trust into your products from the start. Protect the information people entrust to you. Test the security of your systems. Explain clearly how a service works and how users can seek help when it fails,” said Minister Mavetera.
“I call on developers, researchers and institutions to make responsible design part of every project. Trust takes time to earn. It deserves the same attention as speed, performance and commercial potential.”
Minister Mavetera also called on universities, schools, businesses and innovation hubs to strengthen skills transfer and mentorship by giving learners and young professionals opportunities to work on practical problems.
“To our universities, schools, businesses and innovation hubs: create practical opportunities for learners and young professionals to work on real problems. Open doors through mentorship, internships and supervised projects,” she said.
“Make room for young women and for talent from communities with fewer opportunities.”
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