Zimbabwe has taken its digital inclusion agenda to the United Nations General Assembly, outlining measures being implemented to extend connectivity, digital skills and technology-enabled public services to previously underserved communities.
In a statement yesterday, Minister of Information Communication Technologies, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera said the country’s digital transformation programme was anchored in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, with a particular focus on closing the rural-urban digital divide.
“At the Digital UNGA, I had the privilege to present Zimbabwe’s national efforts to digitally include everyone.
Our approach is anchored in National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, with a clear focus on bridging the rural urban divide, expanding broadband infrastructure, and lowering barriers to digital literacy,” she said.
Minister Mavetera said more than 10 000 remote sites had been connected in previously disadvantaged areas, while the country had expanded its national fibre backbone by more than 17 000 kilometres.
“Over 10,000 remote sites connected in previously disadvantaged areas. More than 17,000 km of national fibre backbone expanded,” she said
She said satellite technology was also being incorporated into the national connectivity drive to reach areas where conventional infrastructure remained difficult to deploy.
“Satellite providers such as Starlink licensed to reach isolated schools, clinics and underserved communities,” Minister Mavetera said.
She said the Presidential Internet Scheme was providing free public Wi-Fi at rural business hubs, while post offices were being modernised into digital centres.
“Free public Wi-Fi at rural business hubs through the Presidential Internet Scheme.Traditional post offices modernised into Digital Centres, offering free equipment, web browsing and public service access,” the Minister noted.
On digital skills development, Minister Mavetera said Government was targeting 1.5 million citizens through Digital Ambassadors and self-taught portals, with specific programmes for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
“1.5 million citizens being trained through Digital Ambassadors and self-taught portals with targeted programmes for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy 2026–2030 was also being implemented to promote human-centred artificial intelligence applications in precision agriculture, telemedicine and inclusive digital governance,” Minister Mavetera added
The engagements come as Zimbabwe implements its National Digital Transformation Strategy within the broader development framework of NDS2 and Vision 2030, while positioning ICTs, broadband connectivity and emerging technologies as enablers of inclusive economic and social development.
