ICTs key for development

Felex Share Herald Reporter
African countries should consolidate the growth recorded in Information and Communication Technology to enhance socio-economic development, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said.
VP Mujuru said the advent and proliferation of ICTs had positively contributed to development and the well-being of people worldwide.

She made the remarks while officially opening the 4th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Harare yesterday.

ATU brings together countries and mobile telecommunications providers with a view to fostering the development of the continent’s information and communication technology infrastructure.

“One of the exciting facts about the communications sector is its growth potential,” VP Mujuru said.

“Zimbabwe bears testimony to this phenomenon as over the past five years the sector has grown from less than two million mobile lines to over 13 million. A similar growth is experienced by many developing countries in our region and elsewhere with the telecommunication industry growth rate being about double that of the rest of the economy.”

The 10-day conference, that ends today, is being attended by several ICT ministers from Africa.

Outgoing International Telecommunications Union (ITU) secretary general Dr Hamadoun Touré of Mali, commended President Mugabe for actively participating in the ICT sector.

“I want to thank the host (Zimbabwe) for your hospitality as well as extend our appreciation to President Mugabe for his involvement in the ICT sector,” he said.