By 
By Ross Moyo
Digital infrastructure must move beyond connecting people to creating meaningful economic opportunities, enabling businesses of all sizes to compete, innovate and participate in Africa’s growing digital economy.
This was the central message delivered by Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe VP and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lorreta Songola, during the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition held in Harare.
Speaking during a high-level panel discussion titled “The Digital Backbone: Scaling AI, Data and Digital Trade Infrastructure”, Ms. Lorreta Songola said digital transformation can only become inclusive when SMEs, start-ups, schools, public institutions and businesses in the country’s smaller towns can access the same underlying connectivity that larger organisations access.
“If digital infrastructure and new technologies are to translate into real productivity gains for businesses of every size, and not only for the largest firms; access must be a priority. For, only with access can Zimbabwe experience real digital transformation,” she said.
For access to be a possibility, however, there was need for it to affordable, she added.
The Liquid Zimbabwe CEO told the session that for many businesses, the cost and complexity of adopting technology was a hindrance.
“We therefore need models that let businesses consume connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity and digital services according to their needs, without making significant upfront investments.” she told.
Ms Songola was responding to a session question on what COMESA needs to invest in over the next 12 to 24 months so that digital infrastructure and new technologies translate into real productivity gains for businesses of every size, and not only for the largest firms.
Facilitated by the Director General of the Postal and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Dr Gift Machengete, the session also featured Mr. Ahmad Hamwi, RINATO Space, Zambia, Ms. Hope Situmbeko, Director, Southern Africa, TradeMark Africa and Mr. Wallace Tapiwa Gara, EduNova Solutions.
Ms. Songola also called for greater regional alignment within the COMESA region, saying although COMESA was working towards a more integrated market, businesses still encountered different regulatory and digital environments across borders.
The call reasonates with calls by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who challenges businesses across the COMESA region to forge partnerships that boost intra-regional trade, investment and job creation as member states to build an integrated regional market.
The 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit is currently underway in Harare, Zimbabwe with Zimbabwe set to take over the COMESA Council Chairmanship.
“The test over the next 12 to 24 months should therefore be very practical,” said Ms Songola.
“When we look at Zimbabwe, with more than 6.4 million people connected to the internet, are we making it easier for them? An entrepreneur in Mutare reaching customers across the region, a farmer in Gokwe using information to make better production decisions, a student in Binga accessing learning resources beyond the classroom and small business in Bulawayo competing beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, have we made it easier for them to do what they do? When we do, then digital infrastructure will become a productivity and trade enabler.”
The COMESA Business Summit is running from the 19th-22nd October and today 21 Heads of State will proceed with their own Summit for Presidents and Prime Ministers.
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