Enhancing Rural Zimbabwe's Connectivity: Ministry of ICT Distributes Starlink Gear
In a significant move towards bridging the digital divide and enhancing internet connectivity in rural areas, the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services in Zimbabwe has donated 250 Starlink internet kits to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The donation, announced at the Harare International Conference Centre, is part of Zimbabwe's broader efforts to improve internet access in underserved regions where traditional infrastructure like fibre and mobile networks are limited or absent.
Minister Daniel Garwe praised the donation as a major step towards decentralized, data-driven governance, stating that the Starlink kits will enable local councils to access reliable internet, enhancing their ability to coordinate governance functions, disaster response, and planning. This, in turn, will empower communities and contribute to local economic development.
The Starlink internet kits provide satellite internet access that bypasses the need for ground infrastructure, making it a cost-effective and rapid solution to expanding universal internet access throughout the country.
The donation aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasizes digital transformation as a key driver of national development. Improved internet connectivity supports effective governance and service delivery, critical pillars in NDS1.
By facilitating seamless network efficiency and connectivity at local government levels, the Starlink kits support the government's whole-of-Government approach, encouraging inter-ministerial collaboration to break silos and drive coordinated digital transformation efforts.
The initiative complements previous ICT support, such as the provision of over 400 computers to local authorities, demonstrating a comprehensive push towards equipping local government entities with digital tools necessary for modern governance.
The donation also ties into the Presidential Internet Scheme and the licensing of Low Earth Orbit satellite technology, reflecting presidential foresight in embracing innovative ICT solutions to achieve universal connectivity—a critical enabler for advancing e-government services and ensuring no community is left behind in the digital age.
Plans for AI training for local government staff signal preparation for future technological advancements and alignment with smart digital governance objectives within NDS1.
Minister Tatenda Mavetera believes the initiative reinforces internet access as a basic service, ensuring no community is left behind. The Starlink internet kits serve as transformative tools that advance Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure at the local government level, directly supporting e-government priorities and the National Development Strategy’s goals of inclusive, efficient, and technology-driven national development.
[1] Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services (2022). Starlink Internet Kit Donation to Boost Digital Connectivity in Zimbabwe. [online] Available at: https://ict.gov.zw/starlink-internet-kit-donation-to-boost-digital-connectivity-in-zimbabwe/
[2] Ministry of Local Government and Public Works (2022). Starlink Internet Kits Donation: A Significant Step towards Decentralized, Data-Driven Governance. [online] Available at: https://mlgpw.gov.zw/starlink-internet-kits-donation-a-significant-step-towards-decentralized-data-driven-governance/
[3] Zimbabwe Government (2022). Starlink Internet Kits Donation: A Key Element in the Country's Strategy to Bridge the Digital Divide. [online] Available at: https://zimbabwegovernment.com/starlink-internet-kits-donation-a-key-element-in-the-countrys-strategy-to-bridge-the-digital-divide/
[4] President Emmerson Mnangagwa (2022). Address at the Handover Ceremony of Starlink Internet Kits. [online] Available at: https://www.president.gov.zw/2022/04/15/address-at-the-handover-ceremony-of-starlink-internet-kits/
- The Starlink internet kits, a form of satellite technology, will help bridge the digital divide in Zimbabwe by providing reliable internet access, thereby enabling local councils to engage in data-driven governance and contribute to local economic development.
- The donation of 250 Starlink internet kits to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is part of the broader finance and technology-driven national strategy to enhance digital transformation and improve internet connectivity, as stipulated in Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
- The satellite-based internet solution provided by Starlink kits, which bypass the need for ground infrastructure, aligns with the Presidential Internet Scheme and the licensing of Low Earth Orbit satellite technology, reflecting the government's forward-thinking approach in embracing innovative aerospace and data-and-cloud-computing technologies for universal connectivity.
