adminTanaka Mahanya
THE International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) are working on a project to profile the country’s innovation environment.
The programme aims to assess the national digital landscape, highlighting opportunities and gaps while identifying strategies to make the most of digital technologies to promote innovation.
The work will help develop a suitable policy framework and encourage investment in digital infrastructure as well as ensuring a level playing field for competition.
ICT, Postal and Courier Services permanent secretary, Beaullar Chirume, stated that the engagement is crucial to understand future support needs and the transformational power of innovation.
“It is only through the combined efforts of the government, private sector, academia, financial institutions, innovators and civil society that we can create an ecosystem conducive to sustainable innovation and growth.
“Our collective knowledge, expertise and resources must be harnessed to overcome the challenges we face and maximise the opportunities that lie ahead,” she said.
POTRAZ deputy director general, Alfred Marisa, said in a world where all facets of the economy and aspects of humanity are driven and governed by ICTs, the only way to survive is to innovate to be at par with the rapid technological changes associated with the new world order.
“Innovation should, however, make sense. Innovation should not be done in jest, lest it be useless, but rather, it should be purposeful, targeting to solve specific problems.
“Such profiling will assist the country in accelerating its digital transformation efforts,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter