1. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES DRAFT NATIONAL ICT POLICY 2014 12 March 2014 Rainbow Towers Harare

2. Outline • Background • Methodology (Project execution- deployment & challenges) (Identified sectors- deployment & execution) • Findings and recommendations • Conclusions

3. Background • No enunciated ICT policy before 2005 • e-Readiness survey 2003-4 • National ICT Policy 2005, launched in 2007 • Nature of ICT development and use has rendered 2005 policy out-of-date due to current and future developments

4. Major Developments in ICT sector • 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

5. Challenges to sector • 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

6. Collaborating partners • National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) • Government Ministries • United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) • Provincial administrations • Stakeholder organisations

7. 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

8. Consultative process cont… 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 on institutional mechanisms • capacity building and content development [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.]

9. Policy recommendations INFRASTRUCTURE • 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

10. Policy recommendations, cont… ICT GOVERNANCE • Establish institutional mechanisms to co-ordinate inter-organisationalplanning, policy making and implementation strategies to develop ICTs, taking into account convergence of broadcasting, telecommunications and computer services

11. Policy recommendations, cont… 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

12. Policy recommendations, cont… INVESTMENT, SKILLS RETENTION & CONSUMER PROTECTION • 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

13. Roles to be played • 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

14. Roles to be played, cont… • 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

15. ZIM ASSET Compliance • ICT falls in two main clusters: Social Services and Poverty Eradicationand 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 • THE END

16. Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services 11th Floor, Bank Chambers Building 76 SamoraMachel Avenue Harare Tel: 04-707347 / 763020-5 Fax: 04-763016 www.ictministry.gov.zw ministryict@zarnet.ac.zw