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By Never Ncube
General Manager of Dandemutande
As Zimbabwe courts investors and intensifies its efforts to create a business-friendly environment, connectivity and communication will be critical to making a path for business. 39, digital future of the country. Never Ncube, CEO of Dandemutande, provider of Internet access and Internet Service Provider (ISP), operated since 1996 in Zimbabwe.
Dandemutande is owned by Gondwana International Networks (GIN) and Masawara Investments.
Following the events of November 2017, there was a seismic shift in the political and business environment supported by the new maxim "Zimbabwe is open for business".
Following a PR offensive by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has seen an upsurge in various sectors as investors seek to understand the investment opportunities available. These efforts and others have already allowed the government to secure US $ 15 billion investment commitments from foreign investors, while the diaspora community is expressing a renewed interest in a new Zimbabwe.
in place to position Zimbabwe as an attractive investment destination, including the effective repeal of key areas of the law on indigenization, with the exception of the mining sector ( especially the mining of diamonds and platinum).
Significant changes were also made to the electoral law to allow for free and fair elections, while the government also committed to invite international observers to attend the next elections in the country. country. Locally, there has been an upsurge in capacity utilization and overall industrial growth. As the country continues to experience liquidity shortages and foreign currency availability continues to be limited, the Government is actively working to normalize the situation as much as possible to create a productive business environment for local investors. and foreigners.
Progress will depend on providing world-class connectivity and communications solutions in the corporate and enterprise sector, and of course include MPLS, VSAT, fiber, WiMAX, cloud solutions, server hosting and licenses software, data
Like many other developing countries, Zimbabwe is moving from an economy based on agriculture and manufacturing to an economy focused primarily on the service sector. .
The economy founded in part was caused by the economic crisis tha There was an unemployment rate of 80 to 90% in the formal sector and a resurgence of freelancers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises which has led to an increasing digitization of services.
Just one example is the extreme shortage of cash that has shifted the supply of financial services from physical transactions to online transactions. There has also been an increase in mobile financial services online. The insurance can now be purchased online and in the tourism sector, it is now possible for customers to book and pay online for hotels, restaurants, cruises, etc.
There is no doubt that the economy is going to open. responding to disruptive technology causes overall and change in tastes and preferences of customers. The promotion of technology and innovation poles will also be crucial to foster the growth of a prosperous services-based economy.
While business connectivity will form the foundation of an expanding economy, the provision of technology solutions in the SME sector will ensure the path of growth is as inclusive and varied as possible. Current statistics indicate that about 80% of the Zimbabwean economy is in the hands of small businesses in a range of sectors ranging from mining, exporting, and agriculture online manufacturing and marketing.
Together, these businesses are an integral part of the economy and have become one of the largest sources of employment in Zimbabwe; employing 60% of the country's workforce while contributing up to 50% of GDP. There is now a renewed and deliberate effort by the government to formalize the operations of players in the SME market and as a foundation for business growth, innovation and job creation, this segment of our economy now offers a lucrative segment. As an example, Dandemutande's main strength is its provision of business connectivity to the enterprise market and we are now extending this capability to the SME market. Through Utande, we offer a range of products that directly address the needs of SMBs for reliable and cost-effective Internet services, IT consulting to optimize business processes, and efficient processes and systems that are sensitive to time and cost constraints. SMEs. In order to take full advantage of Zimbabwe's growth prospects, small businesses will have to exploit the full range of digital technologies to achieve real competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
In addition to the growth opportunities in the SME sector, rural connectivity Zimbabwe is no different and efforts to bridge the gap between rural and urban access to technology is the only way out. one of the key areas of the Government of Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications (POTRAZ). ), which this year aims to reduce the land coverage gap by at least 25% through strategic partnerships with licensed operators.
In the future, we can expect more active participation of rural communities through the deployment of VSAT solutions. related initiatives and direct solutions to the market, especially in the fields of education, cultural sectors. As more investments become available, providers will have even more opportunities to play a key role in connecting rural communities to economic growth in Zimbabwe.
While the country certainly has its challenges to overcome, the opportunities technology can create to grow Zimbabwe into a globally connected economy, and this includes IoT and fiber. Although the depressed economy of Zimbabwe has possibly limited the adoption of IoT so far, it is clear that the economy absolutely can not avoid it. We are therefore expecting bigger developments in the coming years on IoT. There is already a clear movement towards IoT and its revenue potential in all sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, mining and agriculture.
One of the first areas of IoT is security. monitoring. The interest and interest in satellite tracking solutions and RFID, advanced CCTV video analysis, telemetry and building management systems have also increased
Currently, the deployment of fiber is limited to major urban centers such as Harare and Bulawayo. The demand for infrastructure and a national network has led to growth beyond non-traditional areas. One of the main goals of POTRAZ is the sharing of infrastructure between authorized suppliers to improve the fiber footprint in Zimbabwe. Suppliers who adopt this strategy and take other steps to deploy their own fiber are far more likely to benefit from a larger share of what will be a growing market for a while.
Overall, the new growth trajectory Boost your local and regional footprint by offering quality connectivity products that support large businesses and business customers while being aware of new opportunities in business. a burgeoning SME sector towards a more promising Zimbabwean future.
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