Zimbabwean authorities want to make ICT a pillar of socioeconomic development. They aim to develop smart government, smart cities, smart agriculture, smart education, and smart transportation.

The Zimbabwean government has announced a program to connect all 2,400 administrative districts across the country to broadband internet by 2030. Approved by the Cabinet earlier this week, this initiative is expected to help accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

Scheduled to begin in June 2025, the project will prioritize the most remote areas of Zimbabwe that still lack internet access. It will leverage advanced technologies such as low-orbit satellites and fiber optics. Key beneficiaries include schools, community information centers, police stations, health facilities, traditional leaders’ residences, agricultural extension offices, courts, district development coordinators, vocational training centers, and growth hubs identified in each constituency.

According to Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, this program is part of the “digital economy” pillar of the Second Republic’s National Development Plan 1 (NDP1). Through the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, the authorities aim to “fully integrate information and communication technologies throughout society and all sectors of the economy to foster rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.”

Currently, Zimbabwe ranks 149th out of 193 countries on the United Nations e-Government Development Index (EGDI). In 2024, the country achieved a score of 0.4481 out of 1, which remains below the global average of 0.6382. Of the three EGDI sub-indices, Zimbabwe recorded its lowest score in telecom infrastructure, which measures access to telecommunications services, including the internet.

Furthermore, access to the digital economy for Zimbabweans is heavily dependent on internet availability. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the internet penetration rate in the country is only 32.6%. While the government plans to create free Wi-Fi zones, their effectiveness will depend on their geographic distribution. Users will often have to travel to connect to them, limiting their accessibility. Furthermore, these services require Wi-Fi-compatible devices. 

Source: Agency EcoFin