New ICT Bill to go before Cabinet

The new ICT framework seeks to provide an implementation medium to bridge the technology gap between Zimbabwe and other countries.
The previous draft ICT Bill hit a snag after it emerged that some of its provisions encroached into other ministries.
The proposed law would establish a single regulatory authority for the sector and support the ICT Ministry’s strategic plan for infrastructural investment and promotion of e-business.
Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa said the Bill would soon be presented before cabinet for scrutiny.
“We have done everything that is required as a Ministry and the Attorney General’s office has already scrutinised the Bill,” he said.
“I am hoping to table it before cabinet before the end of the first quarter,” he added.
Chamisa said it was important that the Bill be enacted into law to stimulate further growth of the sector and the economy at large.
Analysts also contend that enacting the law would improve the investment climate in the ICT sector and foster stronger growth prospects.
Development of a robust ICT sector is crucial if Zimbabwe is to maintain the economic growth currently being experienced.
The latest global ICT pricing and penetration data report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows that Zimbabwe moved four places up from a ranking of 128 in 2008 to 124 in 2010.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Africa that have increased their mobile penetration rate by more than 30 percent. The other countries include Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania.
Zimbabwe’s mobile penetration rate jumped to 60 percent in 2010 from just 13 percent in 2008. – New Ziana.