By Silvia Tsitsi Mukwindidza
The Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, pledged government support for the development and adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions across various sectors in Zimbabwe.
She made these remarks at the Inaugural Internet of Things (IoT) Community Conference Program held by the Internet Society Zimbabwe Chapter (ISOC Zimbabwe) yesterday.
Themed “Empowering Digital Transformation through IoT innovations,” the conference brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to explore the potential of IoT for revolutionizing various sectors in Zimbabwe, including media, mining, agriculture, and education. Experts discussed the potential of IoT sensors and connected devices to generate real-time data for a more data-driven digital landscape.
Minister Mavetera acknowledged the need for investment in critical infrastructure, particularly affordable data and robust connectivity.
“We are committed to implementing policies and strategies that will facilitate the adoption of loT solutions across various sectors,” she stated.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of collaboration between different stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society organisations, to create an environment that fosters responsible loT innovation.
The conference showcased the ingenuity of Zimbabwean developers and entrepreneurs. Several presentations and demonstrations highlighted local applications of loT technology, spanning areas like media, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. Experts discussed the potential of loT sensors and connected devices to generate real-time data, paving the way for a more data-driven and immersive digital landscape.
The conference also addressed potential challenges associated with widespread loT adoption, such as data security, privacy concerns, and the potential for misuse in areas like surveillance and misinformation. Experts emphasised the need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure innovation while protecting user data.
“We need to protect data privacy and security,” Minister Mavetera highlighted. “We are seeing an increase in cyberattacks, making it crucial to finalize our security operations center and ensure implementation of the Cyber, Data and Protection Act.”
The Internet Society Zimbabwe Chapter (ISOC Zimbabwe) played a key role in organizing the conference and fostering discussions on the responsible adoption of IoT technologies. The organization aims to continue supporting the development and implementation of loT solutions across various sectors in Zimbabwe.
The inaugural ISOC Zimbabwe loT conference concluded with a renewed focus on the transformative potential of loT for Zimbabwe’s development. With government support, industry collaboration, and a commitment to responsible innovation, ISOC Zimbabwe Chapter President, Engineer Taurai Nyarufuka, expressed his belief that loT has the potential to empower various sectors and reshape the digital landscape for Zimbabwe.
