Local cellphone ownership surges
Zimbabwe’s mobile penetration rate (percentage of people with cellphones in the country) has risen from 12% to 56% since the inception of the inclusive government, a development the government says was an indication of positive growth in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
ICT minister Nelson Chamisa on Monday said the country had made strides in the sector and was looking forward to rural communities embracing the technology.
This comes as Zimbabwe today joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Telecommunications and Information Society Day.
This year’s commemoration will run under the theme “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs” and in Zimbabwe, it is set to be held in Jerera, Masvingo province.
Chamisa, who will be the guest of honour, said the theme was a sign of better life brought into communities by adopting ICTs.
“The choice of Jerera growth point is indicative of better life that can be brought into rural communities because of ICTs,” Chamisa said.
The government has finished the fibre optic Mutare link worth $6,4 million to enable faster network. It will soon commence the Beitbridge link worth $15 million.
ICT products are now getting into the country duty-free, a development Chamisa said was indicative of Zimbabwe’s desire to achieve an ICT-literate society.
Chamisa said the government’s aim was to make sure that by 2014 there will be connectivity to everyone everywhere.
Different schools in Masvingo are expected to attend the commemoration where the speech of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and International Telecommunications Union secretary general Dr Hamadoun Touré will be read.
This comes as Zimbabwe today joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Telecommunications and Information Society Day.
This year’s commemoration will run under the theme “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs” and in Zimbabwe, it is set to be held in Jerera, Masvingo province.
Chamisa, who will be the guest of honour, said the theme was a sign of better life brought into communities by adopting ICTs.
“The choice of Jerera growth point is indicative of better life that can be brought into rural communities because of ICTs,” Chamisa said.
The government has finished the fibre optic Mutare link worth $6,4 million to enable faster network. It will soon commence the Beitbridge link worth $15 million.
ICT products are now getting into the country duty-free, a development Chamisa said was indicative of Zimbabwe’s desire to achieve an ICT-literate society.
Chamisa said the government’s aim was to make sure that by 2014 there will be connectivity to everyone everywhere.
Different schools in Masvingo are expected to attend the commemoration where the speech of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and International Telecommunications Union secretary general Dr Hamadoun Touré will be read.
