Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
THE government is set to establish a technology park to accommodate all telecommunications players to operate as a hub for research and innovation in the digital space.
The technology park will be the technology hub, housing all telecommunications players operating in the country and acting as a fountain of innovation to drive Zimbabwe’s digital policy.
The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, made the revelations in Harare this Monday when she officially commissioned the IMC Communications head office which was licenced to provide Starlink internet services.
“In pursuit of government’s policy thrust to drive a digitised economy and engender innovation and research, government is planning to establish a technology park that will encompass all telecommunications players in the country where it will be the epicentre of deep innovation and research,” she said.
“On this auspicious occasion, we are proud to announce our partnership with several other private players to create a highly digitised society while at the same time harnessing our technology capacity in innovation and research, hence the Ministry will facilitate the establishment of a technology park that will drive our students in ICT and dovetail with our thrust to create a highly digitised economy.”
IMC Communications Chief Executive Officer Denny Marandure pledged to set up an innovation hub to complement government efforts in deepening research, with university students set to drive the facility.
“IMC Communications is pleased to work with the government to drive the country’s digitisation roadmap. We are going to establish an innovation hub to help students conduct research and innovation. As IMC, we are keen to compliment government policy thrust and drive the digitisation of the economy,” he said.
The government continues to make strides in modernising the ICT sector, a key enabler in driving the country’s industrialisation, through collaborations with private players.
Last week, Minister Mavetera met with entities from Finland and Pakistan, which are keen to invest in the local ICT sector.
The government is targeting to achieve a digital economy by 2030.
