Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
ZIMBABWE has recorded a major milestone in its technological advancement following the launch of the country’s first locally manufactured laptop, the Avantis Parote 1030i, by indigenous firm Avantis Technologies in Harare. The development marks a significant step in the country’s journey towards building a robust domestic technology manufacturing sector and reducing reliance on imported digital products.
The launch is expected to boost the Government’s drive towards industrialisation, digital transformation and local innovation under Vision 2030, which seeks to position Zimbabwe as a prosperous and globally competitive upper-middle-income economy. Industry observers have described the milestone as a practical demonstration of the country’s growing capacity to produce high-value technology products locally.
The development buttresses President Mnangagwa’s digital and technological roadmaps — including the National ICT Policy, the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), and the Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy — all of which are collectively aimed at transforming the country into a modern, digital economy driven by innovation, research and industrial growth by 2030.
The Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030), launched in March this year, focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to accelerate socio-economic growth and industrialisation across key sectors.
It places particular emphasis on leveraging emerging technologies to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness.
The production of laptops locally carries added significance as it reflects Zimbabwe’s ambition to integrate artificial intelligence systems into critical economic sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining and healthcare. By developing hardware within the country, Zimbabwe is also positioning itself to support the growth of locally driven digital ecosystems.
This development consolidates the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, which provides a comprehensive operational roadmap for achieving a fully digital economy.
Under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which builds on the foundations of NDS1, Zimbabwe is pushing towards a prosperous and empowered society, with ICT and artificial intelligence expected to play a transformative and game-changing role.
Officially launching the product on Thursday, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the achievement demonstrated that Zimbabweans were capable of building, innovating, assembling and manufacturing globally competitive technology products, signalling confidence in local innovation capacity.
“It is not merely the launch of a gadget. It is a demonstration of confidence in Zimbabwe. It is a declaration that Zimbabweans are capable of building, innovating, assembling, manufacturing and competing on the global stage.”
She said the initiative was aligned with the National ICT Policy, the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, the National Development Strategy 2, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, all of which prioritise digital transformation and industrial growth.
The minister said local assembly and manufacturing of ICT products will enhance digital inclusion, create jobs and strengthen the country’s industrial base, particularly by supporting value addition and skills development among Zimbabwean youth and professionals.
“We cannot industrialise effectively without technology. And we certainly cannot participate meaningfully in the Fourth Industrial Revolution while remaining mere consumers of imported technologies,” she said.
The minister said Government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for ICT investment and innovation through improving the ease of doing business, expanding digital infrastructure and supporting industrial growth across various sectors of the economy.
She also urged local manufacturers to prioritise quality, competitiveness and sustainability in order to build trust in locally produced technology products among consumers and regional markets.
“Patriotism alone cannot sustain a technology brand. Quality must always remain paramount. It would be unfair to expect Zimbabweans to purchase inferior products merely in the name of supporting local industry,” she said.
Minister Mavetera commended the strategic partnership between Avantis Technologies and ZITCO, an associate company of TelOne, noting that collaboration among local industry players would be critical in advancing national development objectives and fostering innovation-driven growth.
Secretary for the E-Government Technology Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Tafara Matekaire, described the development as clear evidence of determination, creativity and innovation among Zimbabwean entrepreneurs, particularly the younger generation venturing into the technology sector.
“You innovate when you look at the outliers rather than the confines of the normal,” he said.
Avantis Technologies founder Mr Ari Goldstein said the company, established in 2016, specialises in the manufacturing of laptops, tablets, desktop computers and television sets, positioning itself as a key player in Zimbabwe’s emerging technology manufacturing space.
“Today is more than just the launch of a product. Today is the launch of belief. A belief that Zimbabwe can build. A belief that Africa can innovate.”
Mr Goldstein said the Avantis Parote 1030i laptop was designed and assembled locally to meet international standards and would target regional markets including South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, as part of the company’s expansion strategy.
He added that the company also plans to establish data centres aimed at strengthening Africa’s data sovereignty and supporting the development of artificial intelligence models grounded in African languages, cultures and realities — a move expected to enhance digital independence across the continent.
Avantis board member Mr Cacius Gambinga said the launch marked a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s technological and industrial development, creating opportunities across multiple sectors of the economy.
“This laptop represents opportunities for students, engineers, software developers, technicians and entrepreneurs,” he said.
The company also announced plans to list on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange as part of its long-term expansion strategy, signalling ambitions to scale operations and attract investment to support its growth trajectory within the region.
