Thursday 13th December 2010
Players in Zimbabwe`s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector say 2010 has been a positive year for the industry, which recorded remarkable growth as the number of internet and mobile phone users has significantly increased.
The development of the ICT sector follows a massive investment drive in infrastructure by the country’s mobile networks.Econet wireless Zimbabwe has said it will have invested US$300 million by February 2011 in network expansion alone.
According to the International Telecommunications Union, the country’s teledensity grew by an estimated 2% from 2009, while the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) said the country’s telecommunication penetration rate had increased by 17% by October this year. Zimbabwe`s political and economic crisis meant that many people couldnt afford to buy mobile phones and connect to the internet. However the dollarisation of the economy means that people can now afford mobile phones and has improved internet accessibility to many in Zimbabwe.
Computer Suppliers Association of Zimbabwe Chairman, Mr Artwell Mukusha said the improvement of technology has immensely benefited corporates, schools and tertiary institutions who have embraced e-commerce.
The country now has about 6,4 million mobile phone subscribers up from about 4 million at the beginning of the year, with locals now able to access third generation technology and services. ICT Minister Nelson Chamisa has said he wants Zimbabwe to be Africa`s ICT hub
