Empowering Zimbabwe’s Digital Future: Mavetera Champions Local Innovation at POTRAZ 2026 Expo

By Ross Moyo

Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, says Zimbabwe’s digital transformation must be built on home-grown innovation that delivers practical solutions for ordinary citizens, farmers, businesses and public services.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe Innovation Expo and Conference at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, over the weekend, Mavetera outlined a roadmap for inclusive industrial modernisation anchored in local talent.

“Zimbabwe’s digital transformation must be anchored by home-grown innovation capable of delivering practical, life-changing solutions.”

“An exhibition creates visibility. What we do after it closes creates lasting value,” Mavetera added.

“Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. A nation is built by its own people. That message finds practical expression in those who identify a problem and take responsibility for solving it.”

“Our task is to turn promising prototypes into services that improve, enterprises that grow, and communities that benefit.”

Her vision prioritises the rapid scaling of ICT startups, artificial intelligence driven problem solving, widespread digital skills, robust cybersecurity and the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.

The Minister said innovation must be measured by its impact on everyday life. A useful technology, she said, is one that helps a farmer reach a better market, enables a small enterprise to gain a new customer, and allows a citizen to access a public service without an unnecessary journey.

At the Expo, Mavetera drew attention to nationwide initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide from the ground up. These include equipping learners in primary and secondary schools with digital devices, strengthening child online protection, and preparing the national workforce to work alongside artificial intelligence technologies.

She said government is committed to moving ideas from academic labs and garages into market-ready enterprises. More than 57,000 US dollars in competitive grants and prizes was awarded to outstanding innovators and entrepreneurs at this year’s Expo.

Challenging participants to go beyond concepts, Mavetera urged developers to build resilient partnerships, make use of countrywide innovation hubs and commercialise their intellectual property to drive Zimbabwe’s digital economy forward.