Amanda E.N Jojo

Government through the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services yesterday launched the NetOne and Huawei National MBB Phase 3 project.

The launch is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 which seeks to improve Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and stimulate the development of Zimbabwe through enhancing e-government and e-commerce platforms.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, various ministers and key players in the ICT sector graced the launch of the NetOne and Huawei National MBB Phase 3 project.

Speaking at the event, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Jenifani Muswere said the vision embeds Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across all national development strategies as a key enabler, targeting to increase investment in ICT development to facilitate a digital economy and universal access by 2030.

“This launch of the MBB Phase 3 project will result in Network Expansion Growth and broad subscriber growth across the ICT sector, which will see new base stations constructed and installed across the country bridging the rural/urban divide.

“We are grateful Your Excellency, for your strategic guidance by initiating and developing ICT infrastructure and putting measures to ensure that we develop our ICT infrastructure to meet current technological trends including 5G Networks and this is part of the MBB Phase 3,” Muswere said.

The ICT Minister reaffirmed that the project will steer the march toward the digital future that will transform the country into a regional technical hub hence raising the country’s competitiveness while aligning the country with NDS1 ICT goals.

Muswere said: “Your Excellency, a country that does not innovate becomes irrelevant in today’s fast-changing world of big data, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and machine learning among other emerging technologies. These rapid changes in technology equally affect policymakers. The Second Republic, through your ICT Ministry, is committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation to flourish in the country by providing a forward-looking and adaptable policy environment.”

He also noted the need for implementation of robust innovative and ICT driven industrialization as well as the MBB Phase 3 to turn Zimbabwe into a digital economy.

“The Ministry of ICTs promises to revolutionize government services and digitalise all communities. Infrastructure provision, innovation and sector growth combined with world class engineering talent will be vital for the Smart Zimbabwe Master Plan,” Muswere added.