ICTs a Pillar for National Socio-Economic Development: NDS1

By Tendai Chisirio

Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier services Dr Beullah Chirume

The Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier services is to launch the Zimbabwe National Policy for ICT 2022-2027, the country’s National Broadband Plan and the Smart Zimbabwe Master Plan in Harare Wednesday.

The launch will be attended by around 30 repersantsives from Postal and Telecommunications Regulatort Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Telone, Netone, ZARNet, Telecel and Zimpost.
The ICT policy has been crafted to guide all sectors on national prioritise in the ICT sector including economic development, poverty reduction, governance, telecommunications, Postal and courier services, provision and access to connectivity, competition, prices and quality of services among other aspects.
The National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) clearly spells out ICT as one of the pillars for National Development. ICTs are given a key role as enablers for all other sectors to leapfrog in their development. The ICT policy proposes various policing statements on this matter.
It is envisaged that the reviewed ICT policy will be a catalyst tona number of factors. The provision of an environment that encourages ICT innovation based on emerging technologies and wide spread availability to all citizens, investment in the development and manufacture of ICT products shows the need of ICT policy.
Also in line with the ICT policy is mainstreaming ICY training into the primary, secondary, tertiary education and life-long learning systems in the context of creating a digital policy.
Enhancing the utilisation of advanced ICT hard and soft infrastructure including fiber optics within the country and incentivizing the development of innovation in the ICT sector are propelled by the ICT policy.
ICT policy also elps in encouraging young entrepreneurs to innovate and develop new ICT products and innovations to serve all sectors of the economy and IVT market efficiency.
Last but not least inclusiveness of all citizens irrespective of their location or ability staus is governed in the ICT policy.