By Nigel Pfunde
From the rolling hills of Domboshawa to the deep valleys of Binga, from Karoi to Beitbridge, Bindura, Gokwe, Makaha, Masvingo and Mutare – the Digitalize Zimbabwe Expo train has traversed all ten provinces of Zimbabwe, leaving an indelible mark of transformation.
In a powerful demonstration of His Excellency, President Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s mantra of “Leaving No Place and No One Behind,” the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, in partnership with the vastly experienced event architects, Video Promotions Africa, led by businessman Pascal Kwaramba and his dedicated team, has successfully executed a nationwide digital revolution at grassroots level.
Bringing The Digital Economy To The People
The expos have managed to achieve what many thought impossible – connecting rural Zimbabwe directly with the digital age of products and services.
For the first time, villagers, farmers, learners, SMEs and traditional leaders in remote areas came face-to-face with Zimbabwe’s biggest telecommunications giants and digital enablers under one roof.
The Expos brought together key players including POTRAZ, Econet Zimbabwe, NetOne, Powertel, Telecel, TelOne, Africom, Dandemutande, Zimpost, PRAZ as main digital service partners, and ZESA, REA as critical enablers, together with JSC, GMB, POSB, EMA, TN Bank, ZimParks, University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), NUST, Kwekwe Polytechnic, Harare Polytechnic and many other organisations.
It was a one-stop-shop where a farmer from Makaha could learn about e-agriculture, a student from Gokwe could access e-learning platforms, and a grandmother from Binga could be registered for mobile money – all in one day.
A Listening Minister – Walking The Talk
What has set these Expos apart is the hands-on, people-centric leadership of the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Dr. Tatenda Mavetera.
Hon. Mavetera has been walking the talk. Unlike the conventional expo where officials just give speeches, the Minister has made it her mission to sit down and listen. At every province, she held one-on-one engagements with communities, listening to real issues of network connectivity, poor signal, and lack of infrastructure.
And she acted. On the spot, companies mandated to provide connectivity – TelOne, NetOne, Econet, Telecel – were tasked, and immediate rectification was ordered. Where there was no base station, a commitment for installation was made. Where service was poor, restoration was immediate.
More Than An Expo – Tangible Takeaways
The Digitalize Zimbabwe Expos have proven their worth beyond speeches and exhibitions.
Under the *Presidential Computer and Starlink Scheme*, the Minister has ensured that digital community centres and schools in the host areas are equipped with computers, Starlink products, and internet connectivity.
Today, follow-up assessments show remarkable progress:
– Base stations have been installed and network connectivity challenges raised during the expos have been sorted.
– All schools that received laptops and Wi-Fi have successfully set up functional computer labs, and children are now actively using the equipment, embracing e-learning.
Communities that were once digitally dark are now connected.
Connectivity is no longer a luxury – it is the new way of life, and Digitalize Zimbabwe has made it a reality.
The Gospel of Digitalisation Continues
Speaking at the expos, Hon. Mavetera reiterated that this is just the beginning. The Ministry will ensure that every place within rural and urban Zimbabwe, far and wide, will host the Expo*l and will have a chance to engage with her and the Ministry on a one-to-one basis.
Her mission is clear: to preach the gospel of digitalising every sector of the economy – from agriculture, mining, education, health, to SMEs – in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The partnership between the Ministry of ICT and Video Promotions Africa has proved that with the right vision, execution and passion for people, Zimbabwe can truly become a fully digital economy.
The Digitalize Zimbabwe Expo is not just an event. It is a movement. It is the bridge between the village and the world.
