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ZIMBABWE’S effort to bridge the socio-economic divide has set the country among pioneers in creating an all-inclusive digital community that empowers its citizens.
Ms Lorreta Songola, the regional chief commercial officer for Central African region at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, said this in her remarks to mark the World Telecommunication and Information Society celebrations last week.
Ms Songola said as more technology infrastructure is deployed and a larger portion of the population is granted access to connectivity, there is need to scale up the digitisation momentum as this is key to economic growth and societal advancement.
She said this is also critical in driving inclusive growth while striving to bridge the socio-economic divide and ensuring that no Zimbabwean is left behind on the journey towards a collective digital future.
Ms Songola’s sentiments come at a time when Zimbabwe is recording an increase in digital technologies, which are a critical enabler in creating a smart economy in line with Government’s transformative aspirations as espoused under the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030.
Research has already shown that 67 percent of the national population resides in rural areas, thus, presenting huge opportunities for ICT players to bridge that digital gap.
There is also a need to provide technological solutions that drive business agility and effective customer service that keeps up with changing trends and expectations.
“Over the past decade, connectivity and cloud services have profoundly transformed the nature of business and with it, the socio-economic well-being of Zimbabwean communities,” said Ms Songola.
She said the country’s ability to leapfrog legacy systems to access digital services has put the country on par with more connected countries thereby increasing cross-continental collaboration and giving Zimbabwe a vital role in a world driven by global technological co-operation.
This year’s World Telecommunications and Information Society Day commemorations were held last Wednesday and focused on empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Through its digital innovations, Ms Songola said, Zimbabwe is harnessing the tools it needs to revolutionise leadership, education, farming, medicine, business and all other economic sectors.
She said her organisation was proud to partner the Government and different stakeholders in such a transformative journey. In that regard, Liquid Intelligent Technologies was playing a major part in driving the digital transition journey, having built over 25 000 kilometres of fibre optic network among other large investments in the country’s infrastructure.
“This network, underpinned by our proprietary software, ensures that businesses and individuals can access the internet instantly, even in the most remote parts of the country,” said Ms Songola.
Today, Zimbabwean businesses, regardless of size, can take advantage of many solutions that enable them to be competitive and resource-efficient, on par with any other market across the continent.
“This is particularly true in the strategic implementation of advanced cloud services in key sectors as all market stakeholders aim to disseminate important information to a broader audience regarding business prosperity through digital transformation,” said Ms Songola.
She said among other deliverables, Liquid has played a key role in facilitating efficient e-services for the Government, making transactions and utility bill payments more convenient.
Ms Songola, however, said there was still a need for increased investment in the country’s future, especially providing the digital tools for the youth to thrive in their various endeavours.
“Looking ahead, we are confident of Zimbabwe’s role as a pioneer in progressive business solutions fostered by digital connectivity,” she said .
Ms Songola said the next 10 years look set to be the most productive period for the country and Liquid will therefore strive daily to further amplify Zimbabwe’s standing worldwide.
“Digital innovations create a larger canvas for socio-economic success for all Zimbabweans. We are proud to be agents of that success,” she said.
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