Online Reporter
Zimbabwe recently launched its first locally manufactured laptop, the Avantis Parote 1030i. The manufacture of the laptop by an indigenous company, Avantis Technologies, marks a major milestone in the country’s journey towards building a robust domestic technology manufacturing sector.
This is a confirmation that the country is leveraging emerging technologies to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness.
Speaking when she launched the laptop, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the achievement demonstrated that Zimbabweans are capable of building, innovating, assembling and manufacturing globally competitive technology products.
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. Minister Mavetera said locally manufactured ICT products will enhance digital inclusion, create jobs and strengthen the country’s industrial base.
“We cannot industrialise effectively without technology or participate meaningfully in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
Minister Mavetera said Government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for ICT investment and innovation.
She urged local manufacturers to prioritise quality, competitiveness and sustainability in order to build trust in locally produced technology products.
“Quality must always remain paramount. It would be unfair to expect Zimbabweans to buy inferior products just to support local industry,” said Minister Mavetera.
Avantis Technologies founder Mr Ari Goldstein said the Avantis Parote 1030i laptop was designed and assembled locally to meet international standards.
He said the company’s target market included South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda.
This technological milestone will obviously inspire students from our institutions of higher learning whose thrust now is finding solutions to challenges facing their respective communities.
Since the adoption of Education 5.0, students at our universities and colleges across the country are striving to produce tangible goods and services.
We have no doubt that it is these graduates being churned out by our universities and colleges that are now contributing to the production of ICT products such as the Avantis Parote 1030i laptop.
