Address digital data divide, says minister

INDUSTRY and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndlovu says there is a need to nurture micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through information communication technology (ICT) to facilitate their advancement into large businesses.

Ndlovu expressed optimism during the Zimbabwe eTrade Readiness Assessments stakeholder consultation that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s programme would suggest policy interventions and clarify how the nation can take advantage of e-commerce opportunities for sustainable development.

“This eTrade readiness programme is poised to positively impact the MSMEs’ capacity to enhance productivity and be mainstreamed into national economic development programmes,” he said.

“There is a need to nurture the MSMEs through this programme, to enhance their business processes and thereby improve their customer bases and use ICTs to facilitate their graduation into large businesses.

“It is our most fervent hope that the UNCTAD e-commerce readiness assessment will come up with workable recommendations regarding policy interventions that can be implemented at both the technical and policy levels. There is a need to address the existing digital data divides for e-commerce to support inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one and no place behind.”

Ndlovu said adoption and increased usage of ICTs present opportunities for extending growth beyond the conventional growth sectors.

“We are, therefore, looking up to the unfolding eTrade Readiness Assessment by UNCTAD, to demystify how the country can leverage opportunities for sustainable development through widespread usage of ICTs,” he noted.

“He underscore the need for the ongoing process not to inadvertently sideline the MSMEs, who have since become major contributors to gross domestic product growth in Zimbabwe and other parts of the world.”

Ndlovu said there was a need to input greater investment in digital technologies and skills development to deliver greater efficiencies across all value chains and protect consumer rights.

“My ministry prioritises the protection of consumer rights in the country including in the digital domain, to foster a trustworthy online e-commerce environment. The need for greater investment in digital technologies and skills development can never be overemphasised, since connectivity is the lifeblood of both business transactions and human interactions,” he noted.

“There is a beckoning need to enrich our digital space by retooling major facets of our economy to bring about the requisite agility and resilience and to deliver greater efficiencies across all value chains.”

He said the implementation of e-commerce is a key enabler of industrial and economic development.

Ndlovu said the UNCTAD e-commerce and digital economy programme resonated with the aspiration of the National Development Strategy 1.

“The digital economy has been aptly identified as one of the priority areas of development, ICTs being a key enabler of industrial and economic development,” he said.

“Hence, the entrenchment of ICT across all national development strategies is critical for the attainment of the country’s Vision 2030, for a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.”

ICT, Postal and Courier Services minister Tatenda Mavetera said her ministry is working on expanding high-speed internet access across the nation to facilitate e-commerce.

“Connectivity is the lifeline of our digital aspirations. E-commerce cannot thrive without connectivity. Currently, the internet penetration rate stands at over 70% and needs major investment to increase this figure and be competitive,” Mavetera said.

“In this regard, our ministry recently launched a broadband plan that seeks to expand high-speed internet access across the nation. As we connect more communities, we unlock boundless opportunities for education, commerce, and collaboration.”

Mavetera also noted that the ministry is working on strengthening connectivity, especially in the rural areas while exploring ways to provide cheaper and affordable internet services to all citizens.-newsday