Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Minister of Information and Communication Technology(ICT), Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, has reaffirmed that ICTs are central to achieving Zimbabwe’s vision of achieving an upper-middle-income society by 2030, stressing that digital transformation must drive economic growth, service delivery and national competitiveness.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe ICT Excellence Awards in Harare on Thursday, Minister Mavetera said government is strengthening efforts to close digital gaps and build technology-driven systems that enhance economic growth and service delivery.
“This is the second edition of the Zimbabwe ICT Awards. Vision 2030 recognises ICTs as an essential catalyst for economic growth, service delivery and global competitiveness through policies that bridge the digital divide. We draw inspiration to develop innovation, and NDS2 plays a vital part in pushing Vision 2030,” she said.
The awards, held as the country intensifies its digital transformation agenda, brought together technology players, innovators, policymakers and content creators to reflect on ICT’s role in national development.
Representing Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire said ICT now determines the pace of national progress.
“It requires us to set standards. Excellence fosters accountability at government entities and conversely, it fosters innovation and competitiveness and contributes to economic development. ICT shapes economic development,” he said.
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Honourable Charles Tawengwa, added that digital inclusion remains central to unlocking equal opportunity.
“The ICT sector is the epicentre of modern progress, and countries that do not embrace it are left behind. The achievements we see today speak to decentralisation and devotion. Digital inclusion empowers diverse areas. Innovations recognised here ensure everyone gets equal market access,” he said.
The awards recognised achievements across several categories including ICT Innovator of the Year, Best Digital Transformation Initiative, Cybersecurity Excellence Award, Outstanding ICT Infrastructure Developer, E-Learning and EdTech Advancement Award and Young ICT Achiever Award.
In the media category, ZBC’s Owen Mandova was named First Runner-Up in ICT Journalist of the Year, while the top award went to Toneo of Technomag, highlighting the role of the press in telling Zimbabwe’s technology and innovation story.
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