Oscar J. Jeke- Zim Now Reporter
Zimbabwe must urgently adopt a converged regulatory framework to effectively govern its rapidly evolving digital and telecommunications sector, says Dr. Gift Machengete, Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the Digital Economy Conference in Harare, Dr. Machengete warned that the country’s current regulatory and legislative systems are failing to keep up with the pace of technological advancement.
He noted that outdated laws and limited skills are no longer adequate to meet the demands of a fast-changing digital landscape.
“The pace of technological advancement is outpacing our laws and skills complement,” said Dr. Machengete.
“We need a unified and converged sector with one regulator and improved mechanisms to fast-track the promulgation of relevant laws and policies through Parliament.”
A converged regulatory model combines oversight of broadcasting, telecommunications, and internet services under a single authority. Dr. Machengete argued this approach would increase efficiency, eliminate duplication, and future-proof the sector against continued disruption.
He also presented new data on Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure, revealing that the country now has 120 active 5G base stations—an indicator of growing investment in next-generation mobile technology. Despite this progress, he acknowledged that access remains unequal, with rural and marginalized areas still lagging behind.
The Digital Economy Conference gathered key industry players, government officials, and tech innovators to discuss Zimbabwe’s position in the global digital space. Calls for policy reform, legislative agility, and inclusive growth dominated discussions.
Dr Machengete’s remarks have reignited conversations about the role of regulation in driving innovation while ensuring that no one is left behind in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation.
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