MINISTRY OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY,
POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES
DRAFT NATIONAL ICT POLICY 2014
12 March 2014
Rainbow Towers
Harare

Background

Methodology
(Project execution- deployment & challenges)
(Identified sectors- deployment & execution)
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Findings and recommendations
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Conclusions
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No enunciated ICT policy before 2005
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e-Readiness survey 2003-4
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National ICT Policy 2005, launched in 2007
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Nature of ICT development and use has
rendered 2005 policy out-of-date due to
current and future developments
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Liberalisation of ICT sector since enactment of
Postal and Telecommunications Act [Chapter
12:05] 2000 and National ICT Policy 2005
Increase in e-services industries, provision and
uptake
Development of local ICT companies & solutions
Social and economic upliftment of persons and
entities that have embraced ICTs

Inadequate communications infrastructure

Marginalisation of sectors of population unable to
easily access ICTs

Inadequate ICT skills

Non-retention of ICT skilled labour

Non-optimal institutional arrangements and
overlapping functions

Shortage of electricity

Inadequate financial resources

National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF)
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Government Ministries
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United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UNECA)

Provincial administrations

Stakeholder organisations
Consultative process
The review process was conducted through a combination of
consultative workshops and desk study, followed by the drafting of
the policy framework. Over and above looking into the areas that the
initial policy dwelt on, the review process put emphasis on assessment
of the gap between the current situation and requirements as reflected
in the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP),
to which Zimbabwe subscribes.
A total of ten consultative workshops were conducted around the
country
Marondera: 03/07/12
Lupane:
25/07/12
Mutare:
04/07/12
Gweru:
26/07/12
Masvingo: 05/07/12
Harare:
30/07/12
Gwanda:
23/07/12
Chinhoyi:
31/07/12
Bulawayo:
24/07/12
Bindura:
01/08/12
While the results of the consultations coupled with
the desk research indicated some measure of
development in the ICT sector in Zimbabwe. Since
inception of the initial policy, indications are that
more effort needs to be focused on issues of
 infrastructure development and management
 research, innovation and industry development
 policy streamlining and regulatory framework
institutional mechanisms
 capacity building and content development
on
[Through consultation, it was observed that the extent to
which e-services and applications are used was dependent
on the level of achievement of the developmental issues
above.]
INFRASTRUCTURE

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Improve existing ICT infrastructure and develop
high speed broadband
Promote and encourage effective utilisation of
existing communications infrastructure
Increase bandwidth on national backbone and
international gateway
Develop enabling
infrastructure to ensure
equitable access by entire populace
ICT GOVERNANCE

Establish institutional mechanisms to coordinate inter-organisational planning, policy
making and implementation strategies to
develop ICTs, taking into account convergence
of broadcasting, telecommunications and
computer services
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Promote local research and development in
software and hardware
 Promote local developments of products and
services that ensure local relevance and
language usage, together with appropriate
technologies to international standards
 Develop alternative sources of energy e.g. solar
and geothermal sources
 Encourage development, exploitation and
protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in
ICT sector

INVESTMENT, SKILLS RETENTION & CONSUMER
PROTECTION
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Create conducive environment for investment
in ICTs through PPPs
Implement measures to retain skilled human
resources
Introduce quality of service standards towards
ensuring consumer protection in provision of
ICTs

Government
Executive- ICT policy implementation
 Legislature- establish laws to govern sector and
oversight
 Judiciary- enforce laws and regulations in sector


Other entities-
Research institutions
 Civic society
 Business

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This interrelationship is critical and necessary
for Government structures, the business
community, civic organisations, research
institutions and the general populace to work
collaboratively to fully harness ICTs
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ICT falls in two main clusters: Social Services
and Poverty Eradication and Infrastructure
and Utilities – Call for intense contribution
An enablers, ICTs impacts on other clusters:Food Security and Nutrition and Value
Addition and Beneficiation
We are expected to develop ICT solutions that
address challenges in other sectors of the
society and economy – tele and e- solutions
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THE END
11th Floor, Bank Chambers Building
76 Samora Machel Avenue
Harare
Tel: 04-707347 / 763020-5
Fax: 04-763016
www.ictministry.gov.zw
ministryict@zarnet.ac.zw