Which one is our priority for securing a digital future for Zimbabwe? The Honourable Speaker's position while providing a clear, logical, and data-informed counter-argument we appreciate his efforts and submission. Let us have a conversation on our priorities in the current Zimbabwean context which we presented yesterday: This is... a critical national conversation on our digital future. The proposition of a Google data centre is undoubtedly appealing. Building a centre of Technological Excellence that houses multiple Tech companies and a Start-up Ecosystem is also prudent, though we are calling it a Technology Park. However, I was of the following view which I am willing to be criticised and guided on. The strategic prioritisation of a national ICT Park ecosystem currently is the foundational path to sustainable, sovereign growth and capacity for Zimbabwe. We are reaching out to every province through the Digital Centres, Innovation Hubs at Universities and Colleges. Infrastructure which we need to capacitate better. This is a decentralised system utilising and expanding the infrastructure we have. The central question is not if we want major players like Google; that is not questionable, but when, how and on what terms. Why are we building our own foundation, house, techno park and mini ICT Parks in the provinces and districts? We absolutely need at least a one hyperscale data centre, but centralisation in the current and future environment can be restrictive. This was our plan: 1.The Foundation Before the Skyscraper: Capacity and Traffic We need to increase our national data volumes and internet traffic . Our urgent priority should be upgrading our national backbone, specifically the Optical Fibre on Power Transmission Lines (e.g., Powertel's network from Insukamini to Johannesburg), to peer efficiently with global giants. This builds the foundational "digital highway" we manage. 2.Generating Traffic Through Digitalization A data centre is a response to demand, not a creator of it. We must first drive digitalization aggressively through digital payments, process automation, and e-governance to generate the significant local traffic that would make a data centre viable. Furthermore, we must incorporate Edge Computing strategies to process data closer to the source, a more efficient model for our current needs and in compliance to our Cyber and Data Protection Act which we can amend if need be. Being a regional internet and cybersecurity hub is crucial as the Speaker alluded to me mentioning it to SADC Parliamentary Forum, this is the ultimate goal. 3.PPPs are key to lessen the burden to the fiscus and we are ready to accommodate organisations willing to assist government.(Cont)show more

But as a party why dont you discuss these things before embarassing each other in public???

This is not an embarrassment , anogona haasati azvarwa we learn every day and ready to learn.

@cybertron123 You have answered well honourable. I am impressed by your humility and wisdom.

@TateMavetera But is it sincere?

Being a regional internet and cybersecurity hub is crucial as the Speaker alluded to me mentioning it to SADC Parliamentary Forum, this is the ultimate goal. 4.Sovereignty, and the capacity to manage networks and content are not debatable and as such must not be subordinated to private players. It’s debatable and fraught with its own challenges as a principle. A deal with a single tech giant comes with the attendant risk of ceding control of our digital ecosystem. An ICT Park strategy fosters a decentralised ecosystem that encourages FDI, CDI, and crucially, Domestic Direct Investment (DDI). It incubates startups, innovation, and local patent holding. We need to attract all the big tech giants in the world. We appreciate the gesture by Google and we are willing to engage. By building our own adequate infrastructure first, will position us with strength, avoiding dominance and monopoly and maintaining control over our data security and economic growth. 5.Answering the Critical "Why Not Both?" An ICT Park is the very incubator that would make a future data centre successful. Imagine a park with: •Startups and innovators developing local solutions. •Laptops and devices assembled locally (e.g., by Bindura University, ZITCO) for the local market. •Training hubs leveraging global free courses (like Google's own) to upskill thousands. •A vibrant administrative hub attracting international talent. •. Easily provide services like Power, water, computational resources, applications for the use of technology e.g. Silicon Valley where Google, Oracle, Facebook, Apple etc are headquartered. •This ecosystem generates the demand and talent that a company like Google would need to justify its investment. The data centre then becomes a logical outcome of our success, not a hopeful precursor to it. In Conclusion: A Data-Led, Sovereign Path Let us be informed by data and strategic foresight. The sequence matters. By focusing first on ICT Parks, digitalization, and infrastructure upgrades, we build a broad-based, resilient digital economy. This approach doesn't close the door to Google; it ensures that when they walk through it, it is on terms that quantifiably benefit Zimbabwe, fostering an industry growth we will all be proud of. I am committed to continue mobilising investment for this decentralised, sovereign vision across all ten provinces. I so submit. Let us discuss

@TateMavetera With respect, before we talk Techno Parks ,can we fix the basics first? Government depts still use Gmail, ministers (including you) have no verified X accounts, most schools & ministries don’t even have functioning websites. Let’s start there before the park.

Bvuma kuudzwa zvinoita nyika iende mberi technology wise not writing paragraphs on X why did you not counter Mudenda there and then.

The first shift we need is a change in mindset. Our goals must move beyond narrow, present day considerations. If we continue planning within the limits of today’s environment, we will never achieve the strategic leap required for Zim’s digital future. The bigger picture is positioning the country as a regional ICT hub for SADC by leveraging our geography, infrastructure corridors and emerging digital ecosystems. Without aligning our priorities to long term regional competitiveness, our ambitions for data centres, technology parks and national digitalisation will remain short lived and reactive instead of transformative. Lastly leave the friday clean ups to ministries such as tourism, sports and culture . You have a lot of catching up to do as a ministry.

Indeed, we have to prioritise building Zimbabwe’s own ICT ecosystem before courting tech giants. Sovereignty, infrastructure and digital capacity first is a solid blueprint for a self-sustaining digital future. Build the ICT Parks first, then welcome Google on our terms.

@kellyngarava1 Thank you.

Generating AI arguments without brains is not the answer.

Good, but also focus on the basics. Below is an entire provincial website that is down, yet you were all there three weeks ago clamouring ‘Invest in Manicaland!

This is commendable Hon. How do we access the Ministry of ICT going forward? Give us a clear path of approach so that we can plug in and share resources and information. Without a clear path of how a local ICT company can work or get assistance from the Ministry, PPPs are difficult. Let us know when you have a desk in your Ministry which we can make an appointment and approach. In the yester years of @HonJMuswereJnr we had a youth led project going on to set up community ISPs in the 10 provinces in marginalised areas. We were at an advanced stage and had POTRAZ roped in along with the USF board. If possible, we can share all the documentation with you and work to revive you. The potential of connectivity increase from this project alone is a huge step. We worked with Mr Jukwa from your office and had models like the Murambinda WiFi network for every province. This is a turnkey project if you give us a listening ear. We need to start somewhere and this is as good a great point to start Hon.

When you hear Rwanda’s ICT Minister, Paula Ingabire (Msc Engineering, MIT), discuss AI initiatives and Gates Foundation partnerships then listen to Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Mavetera talk techno-parks it’s easy to see why the two nations’ digital progress is worlds apart.

This is too long to read. Learn to make them short Many people don't read this.

This ministry is too big for you. We are still in the stone age when it comes to technological advancement

After listening to Hon Mudenda and reading through all your submissions,the roadmap is clear and what we must be hearing now is feedback on steps already taken towards implementation...how did Google respond and how many private players are welcome to jump on board etc

Thank you.

Do you understand that data centers consume a lot of electricity? To be able to run a data center for SADC the levels of reliable electricity supply that would need to be available for the data center are simply not something that Zimbabwe can handle. Energy stability comes first

Honestly tatenda, you really need to seriously consider enrolling in a college and study either a professional/academic ICT qualification. Also try to study other ICT ministers in other countries kuti varikuitei.This will give a rough idea of your portfolio!Coz at the moment Ma1

1 -You should avoided the temptation to respond! There is just no strategy or vision to deliver this service to the people! Ingori mvengemvenge! The speaker met someone privately and is pushing to make it govt policy. U, never consulted on your data centres but alas,

Government acquired Crown Plaza Hotel to accomodate Parliamentarians,why cant we use the same facility for a Hub as well since its central and already owned by Government thereby lessening burden on Fiscus?

When are government departments going to use proper email addresses, not Gmail? When are we going to have proper digitalisation of public services; police, health, cvr, borders etc? These are basic things that you can do.

Subuza ubaan manje kant aliqedelananga khonale lapho ebelikhona

When considering the speed and scale at which the Zimbabwean government could establish these IT centres, one must ask whether it can realistically match the expertise, capital, and global standards that a company like Google could bring, benefits that would extend beyond Zimbabwe to the wider SADC region. This presents a unique opportunity to accelerate progress and build infrastructure that meets international benchmarks. While the principle of self-reliance in Africa is both admirable and necessary, empirical studies consistently show that private sector investment often delivers greater efficiency, innovation, and long term value than slow, bureaucratic government initiatives. Relying solely on public funding would not only strain government resources but also risk inefficiency. A smarter approach would be for the government to establish robust policies and regulatory frameworks that empower private sector participation in developing data centres. This would ensure public benefit, stimulate local growth, and attract regional investment, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem. Strong economies are built on the foundation of a dynamic private sector. Nationalisation, while sometimes well-intentioned, is not always the optimal route. One only needs to recall the decline of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) once a model of excellence in Southern Africa, to see the long-term pitfalls of excessive state control.

The vision is clear ..Welldone Honourable Minister Tatenda Mavetera. 👏

Thank you.

Two views can be right at the same time ,but on your point number one how do you increase user volumes when you ignore the monopoly (something you can change) via providers that charge the most expensive prices globally..i repeat globally? Fix that we take you serious

MUDENDA is spot on,whoever wrote e above essay is misleading you.Might be setting you 2 fail.Nothing wrong to take Google initiative.There are other countries that will grab that offer in a matter of seconds. Leave the court of public opinion.Discuss with Mudenda or Manyika

Masevaa hon mataura zvinoda kunzwika nevanhu well done

Mudenda was grandstanding thats the truth...we failing to implement local ICT programs as a nation & he talks of data centre🤔 ...yet you are being practical as ICT parks wl help grow start ups & foster talent . What you really need to push HARD for is lowering of tariffs.

The moment you start getting your minions to type long shit just know you are clueless.

Pachirungu tirikuti murivakuru vekutamba nekuimbira Emmerson kumasero not zvebasa chaiko mungoriwo hutsi zvahwo

The danger with your submission is how fast you gonna implement it. Tech moves in mach speed the more you contemplating on it by the time you want to implement it,it would be useless. Do you have time frame for all these. Because big tech companies will not wait for you

Good submission Hon. There is also one tech guy by the name Hon @chigumbu_ , i am sure regardless of political teams...you can collaborate ideas and make something great for the nation. I have read some of his submissions on Tech, he is good. May Zimbabwe prosper for us all

You didn't get it. You are confused. He is trying to knock sense into your airy skull. When Zanu exposes one of theirs like this, it mean your head is full of emptiness.

Iwewe hausi we ict saka hapana hapana. Dai pakatoiswa ari fit for the job, someone in the tech/ict industry with high qualifications in the same field but we know appointments in zanu pf are done using other useless criteria. Anyway we dont blame you, akakuisa ipapo ndiye problem

What the hounorable speaker was saying is u need to take on board private players so that ISPs capacities could be increased both in the country and beyond . Network providers in the country have no financial muscle to put optic fibre infrastructure

You'll not go anywhere with statements written by generative pre-trained transformers. Your statement is not grounded on the Zimbabwean reality but rides on the digital trajectory driven by giants like Google. Do you even know the cost of setting up and maintaining a data centre?

Well articulated Hon Mavetera

Thank you.