Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
BULAWAYO businessman and former Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Chapter vice president Mr Louis Herbst has called for a mindset shift in industry, saying Zimbabwe’s competitiveness hinges on technology adoption and confidence in local talent, not just capital.
Responding to questions from Zimpapers Business Hub, Mr Herbst said technology adoption remains one of the defining challenges and opportunities for businesses in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole.
“The future competitiveness of our manufacturing sector will not be determined solely by access to capital, but increasingly by our willingness to embrace technology, automation, augmentation, artificial intelligence, digital systems and locally driven innovation,” said Mr Herbst.
He noted that the Government, under President Mnangagwa, has consistently encouraged the adoption of modern technologies across industry, agriculture, healthcare, education and public administration as part of the modernisation and industrialisation agenda.
He, however, said policy alone was not enough saying that the real transformation must occur within boardrooms, factory floors, small businesses and among entrepreneurs who make daily decisions about investing in productivity, efficiency and innovation.
Mr Herbst said Zimbabwe’s greatest resource was its people.
