Download ( ICT sector ) by Nigel Daura - Development Foundation For

Engaging The Diaspora Conference:
Cluster Report Back
Economic Development & Investment
(ICT )
By
Nigel Daura
Significant Findings & Issues Discussed
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ICT does not contribute meaningfully in GDP
Low or no investment in ICT infrastructure in the past 5-10 years
Serious skills flight resulted in skills shortage
Conflict on the boundaries of the ICT
High Internet tariffs
Outdated regulatory framework
Huge power deficit and outages
Lack of Awareness , cyber crime
Erratic mobile line connectivity – 2 to 3 lines per person
Long outstanding requests for landline applications
Lack of Information for investors – Websites presence very low
Significant Findings & Issues Discussed (cont.)
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Min of ICT setup March 2009
ICT Readiness Survey 2006
ICT Policy framework launched 2007
ICT Bill currently being tabled
Computer Society of Zimbabwe for ICT professionals
Computer Suppliers Association of Zimbabwe for ICT players
National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) ICT Task Force
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
(POTRAZ) was formed by an Act of Parliament [Chapter 12:05] of
2000 currently residing in the ministry of telecomms
Conclusions
• ICT cross cuts all sectors and is an enabler for economic
development
• The fibre optic backbone is now in place
• We now need to consider projects that will make full use
of the network and contribute to economic development
• An ICT Act of Parliament which resides under one
Ministry
Recommendations
• Development of government information sharing
systems and websites
• Website that will enable us to interact with the Diaspora
and maintain a database of available skills
• DFZ to facilitate the crafting of an ICT policy framework
and best practice
• Raising ICT awareness
• Explore opportunities in the public sector ICT Parastatals
(TelOne and Net One)
Summary of Programmes
Priority Areas
Activities
Actors/Partners
Timelines
Outputs
Monitoring
Increase
ICT
awareness
DFZ ICT
symposium,
PM’s office,
DFZ, CSZ,
Ministry of
ICT
Immediate On-going
A greater
awareness of
the role ICT
plays in
economic
development
PM’s office,
Ministry of
ICT, CSZ
Workshops in
Schools and
government
departments
ICT policy
framework
Engage and
consult with
Diaspora on
policy
formulation
and best
practice
PM’s office,
DFZ, Ministry
of ICT and
Diaspora, CSZ,
Donors
6 months
ICT Bill and
best practice
methodology
PM’s office
Ministry of
ICT, CSZ, DFZ
Information
Sharing
Website and
database
Development
DFZ,
Government
Departments,
Diaspora,
Zinnovation
3 – 6 months
Databases &
Websites,
knowledge
systems
Ministry of
ICT, CSZ, DFZ,
Zinnovation