Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in GENEVA, Switzerland
ZIMBABWE is committed to cooperation under the United Nations System, and to the adoption of international good practices and standards on all matters under the purview of the Inland Transport Committee, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona has said.
He said the country was also ready to work with all progressive forces, to ensure that it catalyse innovation and automation of inland transport to make it safer, greener and more resilient.
Minister Mhona said this during his address at a key ministerial panel, focusing on Zimbabwe’s innovation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and automation in inland transport, during this ongoing 88th session of the United Nations (UN) Inland Transport Committee (ITC) being held at the United Nations Palais des Nations.
The event, which is running under the theme, “Driving innovation for the future of inland transport”, commenced this Tuesday and ends on Friday.
Minister Mhona is leading the Zimbabwean delegation, which also includes Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ms Ever Mlilo, the ministry’s legal advisor, Advocate Kingston Magaya; Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) board chairperson, Mr Kura Sibanda; TSCZ managing director, Mr Munesu Munodawafa; and other senior Government officials.
Zimbabwe’s participation signals its intent to strengthen transport policies, align with global standards and deepen regional and international cooperation.
In his address, Minister Mhona acknowledged the exceptional leadership of the ITC in the policy environment of inland transport.
“I wish to reiterate that Zimbabwe is committed to cooperation under the United Nations System, and to the adoption of international good practices and standards on all matters under the purview of the ITC,” he said.
“Multilateral cooperation lies at the heart of the foreign policy of my leader, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde, Dr ED Mnangagwa’s administration.
“Zimbabwe joins the United Nations family in shaping the attendant discourse, underpinned by the critical innovations and automations in the inland transport sector.
“The utility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing inland transport in Zimbabwe anchors innovation and automation in the sector.
“While Zimbabwe is yet to do more, considerable milestones have been witnessed in the application of AI, solar-enabled traffic management systems, automated, cashless “tap and go” ticketing, as well as GPS-based vehicle tracking, to improve road transport safety and efficiency.”
He said key innovations include intelligent cameras for automatic penalty issuance, real-time data analytics for fleet management, and digital ride-hailing platforms aimed at reducing congestion and modernising logistics.
Minister Mhona said innovation and automation in inland transport are primarily focused on smart traffic management, digital logistics and ride-hailing services to address urban congestion and operational inefficiencies.
“Zimbabwe introduced an Integrated Transport Management Information System, which has moved us away from legacy, paper-based systems,” he said.
“The system integrates various modules for vehicle registration, licensing, and crucially, inspection data, creating a more streamlined and transparent process.
“Core equipment at major vehicle inspection stations is now increasingly oriented around the digital backbone, featuring computer networks that sync real-time data with the national database, which helps curb fraud by making records more secure and verifiable.
“Of late, we rolled out a fleet of operational vehicles and advanced brake roller testers for our dedicated Vehicle Inspectorate Department.”
He added, “The operational vehicles enable our vehicle inspectors to be more agile, extending their reach into remote and underserved areas, and to conduct more spontaneous and effective roadside inspections. We also launched advanced brake roller testers, which provide objective, data-driven, and irrefutable evidence of a vehicle’s braking capability.
“They eliminate guesswork, preventing corruption, and ensuring that every vehicle that passes through our inspection stations meets stringent, scientifically verified standards.”
The minister said their road haulage industry is adopting Internet of Things and telematics to improve vehicle monitoring and predictive maintenance.
“We stand ready as Zimbabwe to work with all progressive forces, to ensure that we catalyse innovation and automation in inland transport. We are indeed grateful to Zimbabwe for the capacity building on implementing UN Conventions on vehicle regulations and automation, especially through our participation in the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA).
“Our participation in the GRVA and other subsidiary bodies of the ITC has sharpened our resolve to do more, and adopt international standards in road traffic safety management and administration. As a contracting party to the 1949 and 1968 Geneva Conventions on Road Traffic, we have updated our road safety management legislation to be in line with international legal instruments.
