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By Ross Moyo
Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Lorreta Songola says digital infrastructure must move beyond connectivity to create economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
Songola was speaking during the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition in Harare, in a panel discussion titled “The Digital Backbone: Scaling AI, Data and Digital Trade Infrastructure” held ahead of the Official Opening by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
She said inclusive digital transformation requires that SMEs, start-ups, schools, public institutions and businesses in smaller towns access the same connectivity as large corporates.
“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. Only with access can Zimbabwe experience real digital transformation,” Songola said.
She said access must be affordable, noting that cost and complexity remain major barriers for many businesses.
“We need models that let businesses consume connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity and digital services according to their needs, without making significant upfront investments,” she said.
Songola was responding to a question on what COMESA should invest in over the next 12 to 24 months to ensure digital infrastructure translates into productivity gains for all businesses.
The panel was facilitated by Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Director General Dr Gift Machengete. Other panelists were Ahmad Hamwi of RINATO Space, Zambia, Hope Situmbeko, Southern Africa Director at TradeMark Africa, and Wallace Tapiwa Gara of EduNova Solutions.
Songola said despite COMESA’s push for an integrated market, businesses still face different regulatory and digital environments across borders, calling for greater regional alignment.
Her remarks echo President Mnangagwa’s call for COMESA businesses to forge partnerships that boost intra-regional trade, investment and job creation.
Zimbabwe is set to take over the COMESA Council Chairmanship as the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit gets underway in Harare.
“The test over the next 12 to 24 months should be very practical,” Songola said.
“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 a 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 Forum ran from 19-22 October. Twenty-one Heads of State and Government are expected to proceed with the Heads of State Summit starting yesterday.
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