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The government is making strides in bridging the digital divide, with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) leading initiatives to expand access to connectivity, digital literacy and innovation across the country.
Speaking at the Research Dissemination Workshop, Dr. Kennedy Dehwera POTRAZ director of service fund, emphasized that infrastructure is the foundation for digital skills. “Infrastructure is key,” he said, “and as an authority, we have various initiatives to ensure that communities previously offline can now connect and even engage in content creation.”
One of the POTRAZ’s flagship programs is the tower relocation project, aimed at increasing network coverage in underserved areas. By decommissioning redundant towers and relocating them to unserved locations, more people now have access to reliable connectivity, reaching communities that previously had no network at all.
By Ruvarahe Gora
POTRAZ has also invested in the education sector, providing laptops, projectors, printers, and interactive whiteboards to schools and universities. These interventions target both primary and tertiary institutions, particularly in areas with limited access to digital resources.
Dehwera highlighted POTRAZ efforts to support people with disabilities, describing training programs that have progressed from basic ICT skills to advanced digital competencies. POTRAZ has partnered with the Internet Society of Zimbabwe to provide specialized training and internet access to marginalised communities, earning national recognition for its inclusive approach.
It is also fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among youth. Competitions, scholarships, and the newly established Digital Innovation Acceleration Centre aim to nurture local software development, small and medium enterprises, and scientific talent. Zimbabwe is now among six African countries recognised for advancing digital innovation.
Beyond education and innovation, POTRAZ has extended its interventions to health and agriculture, connecting clinics, health centres, and agricultural initiatives to the internet. All post offices in the country are now connected, offering free internet access as part of the authority’s drive to transform community information centres into innovation hubs.
Dehwera noted that while POTRAZ deploys infrastructure, sustained utilisation and recurring costs require cooperation from other stakeholders, including ministries and local authorities. “Our role is to deploy the infrastructure,” he said, “but ensuring continued access and funding is a collective responsibility.”
With these measures, POTRAZ aims to close the last-mile digital gaps, empower marginalised communities, and position the country as a hub for digital skills and innovation in Africa.
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