Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
ZIMPOST, Zimbabwe’s designated postal operator, has called on Parliament to champion the expansion of banking services to its rural centres, arguing that bringing financial services to ward level is key to enhancing the envisaged rural economic transformation aligned to Vision 2030.
Speaking during a recent visit to the Masendu Digital Centre by the Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Development, Zimpost Post Master General, Mr Maxwell Chitendeni, said the centre was not being fully utilised due to delays in approvals for banking services.
“We still have a challenge though, as the CIC is not yet offering all services, especially banking services. We made applications, but responses take time to come. I call upon you as lawmakers to kindly expedite,” said Mr Chitendeni.
He said extending banking to Community Information Centres (CICs) would cut costs and time for rural communities who currently travel long distances to access basic financial services.
“We want pensioners to access their money here. Zimbabwe must embrace what countries like Botswana do. If you go to Botswana, you will see that documents such as passports are collected at Post Offices. Community members must not travel long distances to acquire these documents. Motor Vehicle Insurance must also be obtained here,” said Mr Chitendeni.
He said the expansion and extension of banking services to the ward level through Zimpost’s network of post offices and digital centres would directly support Government’s drive for inclusive growth.
Mr Chitendeni said when banking is brought closer to the people, they unlock savings, lending, and investment at the grassroots.
“A farmer in Masendu should be able to deposit earnings, access a loan, or receive payments without spending a day travelling to town. That is how we enhance the envisaged rural economic transformation aligned to Vision 2030,” he said.
He noted that Zimpost already has the infrastructure, security, and national footprint to roll out agency banking quickly.
With more than 270 post offices countrywide, many already serving as CICs, the operator says it can partner with banks and microfinance institutions to offer deposits, withdrawals, pension payouts, and remittances.
“These centres are ready. What we need now is regulatory support and faster licensing so that we can activate banking services. The impact will be immediate – more money circulating locally, more businesses formalising, and more youth accessing digital financial tools,” said Mr Chitendeni.
He also said the Masendu CIC, officially opened in 2023 following President Mnangagwa’s directive that development must be channelled to rural areas, was already proving its value.
“President Mnangagwa, being a listening leader who wants development in rural areas, saw us officially open this CIC at Masendu in 2023 after the President directed that development must be channelled to rural areas,” said Mr Chitendeni.
“We have seen that this CIC was rightly positioned. These kids you see here have brilliant minds. They can do coding and all sorts of ICT-related issues. I came and sampled on my own.”
The centre offers internet access, printing, typing, and ICT training, helping learners, SMEs and community groups go digital.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development representative for Ward 7, Mr Philasande Mandla Ndlovu, said the CIC had become a hub for both personal and community development.
“Despite myself utilising the CIC for personal and work-related issues, the CIC is handy in the sense that I use it to train and help my community on how to use ICT, particularly typing Business Proposals and Constitutions.
“I also help them seek quotations as well as do market research for their businesses. Life is easy with ICT,” he said.
“If we can bank here, apply for loans here, and get paid here, then our small businesses will grow faster.
“Women and youth will benefit the most because they will not lose a day traveling.”
Committee members who toured the centre said they would raise Zimpost’s concerns in Parliament and push relevant ministries and regulators to fast-track approvals.
They noted that financial inclusion at ward level aligns with National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030 goals of leaving no one behind.
Zimpost said it remains ready to work with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, banks and fintechs to ensure that every CIC becomes a one-stop shop for Government, financial and digital services.
