1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Portfolio Committee on Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services resolved to conduct an enquiry into the state of ICT in Zimbabwe. The enquiry was motivated by the Committee’s commitment to see the growth of the mobile sector and also its development particularly for the ordinary Zimbabwean. The committee held oral evidence sessions with NetOne, Econet, Telecel and POTRAZ. The ICT sector is dynamic and capital intensive in nature and so the Committee saw need to inquire into the telecommunications sector. The ICT is critical in the ZIMASSET agenda as it falls under the Infrastructure and Utilities Cluster but its offerings have a bearing on other clusters thereby showing its importance.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
In its enquiry, the committee was guided by the following objectives;
- To assess the state of the mobile sector in Zimbabwe and its impact on economic growth.
- To appreciate the challenges being faced by mobile sector.
- To appreciate the relevance of mobile financial services and its effects on improving the country’s economy
- To offer recommendations for improvements in the mobile sector
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 ORAL EVIDENCE SESSIONS
The committee held oral evidence sessions with the Managing Director for NetOne, Mr R Kangai, the Chief Executive Officer for Econet, Mr D Mboweni, the General Manager for Telecel, Ms A Vere and the Acting Director-General for POTRAZ, Mr A Marisa. The purpose of the meetings were for the committee to be appraised with information regarding compliance with the regulatory requirements for the mobile sector, the developments made in provision of telecommunication and the ICT services.
In its enquiry, the committee was guided by the following objectives;
- To assess the state of the mobile sector in Zimbabwe and its impact on economic growth.
- To appreciate the challenges being faced by mobile sector.
- To appreciate the relevance of mobile financial services and its effects on improving the country’s economy
- To offer recommendations for improvements in the mobile sector