Zimbabwe has taken another step towards building a competitive local technology industry following the launch of Avantis laptops, a new locally assembled computer brand expected to support the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The laptops were officially unveiled in Harare yesterday during an event attended by Government officials, technology executives, entrepreneurs and players in the ICT sector.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera said the emergence of local technology brands demonstrated Zimbabwe’s growing capacity to move beyond being a consumer of imported technology.
“We need to make sure that we are not only importers of technology, but we also need to be exporters. We need to make sure that as much as we are consumers, we are also producers,” said Minister Mavetera.
The Minister added that Government would continue supporting local innovators and technology companies as part of efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s digital economy and industrialisation drive under Vision 2030.
“Government acknowledges and feel honored to have locals coming up, assembling and partly manufacturing new products. All we can do as Government is to fully support and make sure these initiatives take centre stage,” she said.
Avantis unveiled a range of laptops powered by its Ultra-chip technology, with the devices targeting students, professionals, businesses and content creators.
The laptops are designed to combine affordability, speed and energy efficiency while meeting international standards.
The launch comes at a time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to promote innovation, digital literacy and local technology development.
Minister Mavetera linked the initiative to Government’s broader digital transformation strategy, including the proposed Devices for All programme aimed at expanding access to digital tools and improving digital literacy by 2030.
She also highlighted Zimbabwe’s growing focus on artificial intelligence and innovation development, saying young people should take advantage of opportunities being created within the ICT sector.
“We want young people to innovate as much as they can, I have got an open-door policy,” said Minister Mavetera.
The minister said Government, through agencies such as the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, would continue supporting innovation hubs, startups and emerging technology developers as the country positions itself to fully participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Industry players at the launch described the introduction of Avantis laptops as an important milestone for Zimbabwe’s technology sector, saying local hardware production could help reduce reliance on imports while creating employment opportunities and technical skills development.
In an industry long dominated by foreign brands, the emergence of Avantis laptops is being viewed as an important step towards building Zimbabwe’s local technology manufacturing capacity. Continued investment in innovation, skills development and digital infrastructure will be critical in positioning the country as both a consumer and producer of modern technology in line with Vision 2030.
