Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in Beijing, China
Zimbabwe’s expanding broadcasting sphere presents vast investment opportunities for China in providing a broad array of strategic infrastructure, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda has said.
Minister Soda is leading a delegation of Zimbabwean media professionals at a seminar organised by the Academy for International Business Officials in China.
The Seminar is intended to strengthen Zimbabwe’s media capacity and deepen collaboration with China.
The seminar which runs from 7-20 May is designed to help Zimbabwean media practitioners gain a deeper insight into China, foster a fuller understanding of China’s current development landscape and Chinese modernization.
In his opening remarks, Dr Soda spoke extensively on broadcasting transition sector saying opportunities exist in the supply and installation of state of the art television and radio digital equipment.
“In line with our Vision, we are actively seeking strategic partnerships to modernise our infrastructure.
“We present significant investment opportunities in key areas including radio and television transmission networks. Our vision is for national signal coverage to be 100 percent by the year 2030,” said the minister.
The country is modernising national studios as part of the ongoing “Zim Digital Phase Two Project”, which seeks to transform the country’s broadcasting infrastructure and enhance production capacity.
The upgrades are expected to enable the creation of high-quality content and provide ZBC with cutting-edge facilities to produce a diverse range of programmes.
The Zim Digital Migration Project, launched in line with the International Telecommunications union (ITU) resolution for countries to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting, is being implemented in phases. Improving signal quality, expanding access to television and radio services and creating a platform for local content development are among its key objectives.
The first phase saw the rollout of digital transmitters in key areas across the country, while the second phase focuses on upgrading production and studio facilities such as Montrose in Bulawayo and Pockets Hill in Harare.
He added that the country remains steadfast in its quest to modernise its economy and is eager to draw valuable lessons from China.
“We view China’s model of capital development and social elevation as a suitable blueprint for our own efforts to achieve collective prosperity.
“To achieve our vision we are actively seeking strategic partnerships to mordenise our infrastructure,” he noted.
Chinese investment has played a defining role in reshaping Zimbabwe’s productive sectors, particularly in infrastructure, energy and mining, which remain critical anchors of economic performance.
