Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National Mobile Broadband project on Monday, with the goal of expanding and improving the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) services and infrastructure. The initiative, which is currently in its third phase, is a collaboration between Huawei, the Chinese ICT giant, and NetOne, Zimbabwe’s second-largest telecoms operator.

The expansion project, which is financed to the tune of 71 million US dollars by the Export-Import Bank of China, is a strategic cooperation project between the governments of China and Zimbabwe that aims to expand NetOne’s mobile broadband coverage to distant locations.

The first phase of the network expansion project, which began in 2011 and ended in 2013, featured the construction of 100 new 3G base stations and 350 new 2G base stations around the country.

The second phase began in 2014, and a total of 2,231 base stations were added as part of the project. When the third phase is completed, 345 new base stations will be built, expanding NetOne’s countrywide coverage from around 75% to 85%. The network provider’s 4G LTE coverage will be improved, and 5G technology will be included as part of the expansion project.

(210921) — HARARE, Sept. 21, 2021 (Xinhua) — Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks at the official launch of the National Mobile Broadband project in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sept. 20, 2021.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday launched the National Mobile Broadband project which seeks to expand and improve the country’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) services and infrastructure.
The project, which is now in the third phase, is a partnership between Chinese ICT giant Huawei, and Zimbabwe’s second-largest telecommunications provider NetOne. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

Mnangagwa said at the project’s official inauguration in Harare that developing a flourishing digital economy is critical to his government’s objective of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“My government’s mandate is to ensure that all Zimbabweans, regardless of location, have access to and use information and communication technology to enhance their livelihoods. I applaud NetOne and Huawei for their outstanding efforts as the country continues to expand its network, digital footprint, and access to ICTs in previously marginalized populations “He stated.

Furthermore, Mnangagwa stated that the project will guide the country into a digital future, transforming Zimbabwe into a regional technological centre.

At the same event, China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Guo Shaochun, pledged China’s support for the growth of Zimbabwe’s ICT sector.

“China successfully completed various projects to assist Zimbabwe in developing high-tech industries, including as a high-performance computer center and the country’s first ICT factory, thanks to the long-term efforts of my colleagues. The NetOne Phase one and two initiatives, in particular, extended network coverage from big cities to the countryside. NetOne phase three would now provide internet access to every Zimbabwean “He stated.

Moreover, Guo stated that China and Zimbabwe, as significant participants of the Belt and Road Initiative, will continue to explore additional cooperation in various fields, including infrastructural connectivity and attaining diverse independent and sustainable development.

According to Huawei Regional President Phil Li, the initiative would not only improve digital connection but also the social and economic prospects that come with developing a robust digital economy.
“Huawei remains dedicated to its vision and objective of bringing digital to every individual and business in order to create a fully connected and intelligent society. Increasing connectivity, boosting education and health care services, and connecting the disconnected are key objectives for Huawei “He stated.

The network extension initiative comes as the Zimbabwean government strives to strengthen ICT services, which are increasingly important in national economic and social growth. China and Zimbabwe have a long history of cooperation in the ICT sector, with Chinese companies providing equipment for Zimbabwe’s network expansion over the years.

Source: Xinhua News Agency