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Joseph Madzimure, Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE and Russia are working towards improving the E-Government system, a development that will see all Government departments being digitalised to reduce corruption and improve efficiency.
Russia is keen to assist Zimbabwe to ensure it has systems that can communicate which each other and are compatible to crystallise the whole of Government approach.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera met with the Russian delegation led Mr Andrey Maslov who is the coordinator for the E-Governance Knowledge Sharing program for Africa.
Speaking soon after the meeting, Minister Mavetera said the meeting was focused on how the two countries can partner to improve E-Government systems
“We are working on a model that will see all Government departments being digitalised,” she said.
“Our discussions were more centred on how we can equip our civil servants, how best can we train them and also to invest in cultural exchange within the Government departments.
“When we are going to digitalise Government departments, we are also reducing corruption and make sure that we have got an efficient Government. We have realised that some people are capitalising on arbitrage which can only be minimised by digitalising Government departments,” said Minister Mavetera.
She said for the Second Republic to move in line with Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra, it is important to harness on ICTs.
Minister Mavetera commended that Russia has done extensively well in terms of ICT adoption.
Zimbabwe, she said has a lot to benefit from engaging with Russia in ICT development.
Minister Mavetera noted that Zimbabwe is keen to capitalise on the relationship with Russia as well as their expertise.
“We want to make Government services more available preferably at the click of a button. We need to take the Government to the people for them to be able to access the digital Government from the comfort of their devices from anywhere, whether they are applying for a liquor licence, passport, or national identity among others. People should be able to access Government services in the comfort of their house,” she emphasised.
Zimbabwe will send a delegation to Russia to have some exchange programmes.
President Mnangagwa is on record saying Zimbabwe can harness the power of digitalisation.
Mr Maslov said the purpose of the meeting was to appraise Minister Mavetera on the programmes and initiatives of the E-Governance Knowledge Sharing programme.
The programme is funded and supported by the Government of the Russian Federation and was launched in Russia last year.
Mr Maslov outlined that he intended to have Zimbabwe and Russia work together on further programmes that speak to Zimbabwe’s specific needs in the area of E-Governance.
“We continue to seek other models and other ideas of refining and coming up with a solution that is unique to Zimbabwe,” he said.
He also noted that Zimbabwe has made achievements which are understated. He mentioned the Mining Cadastre Portal system, which he said Zimbabwe should do more to publish and how other countries can copy.
The Mining Cadastre Portal is meant to provide an electronic platform for all stakeholders in the mining sector in Zimbabwe to engage directly with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
Online Reporter