Zimbabwe’s minister of information communication technology, postal and courier services Webster Shamu has praised local mobile operator Telecel for its contributions to promoting competition in the industry.
Shamu was speaking at a Telecel stakeholders meeting launching Telecash, the company’s mobile money platform.
“In particular I should like to commend Telecel for the lead it took several years ago in bringing down dramatically the cost of SIM cards and mobile phone handsets,” he said.
“In doing this, Telecel introduced real competition into the mobile telecommunications sector, resulting in a general lowering of prices and in virtually every Zimbabwean, certainly in urban areas, being able to afford to own and use a mobile phone. This has had a tremendous impact on information communication.”
The minister stressed the importance of communication technology, highlighting its role in economic and business development.
“Zimbabwe has come a long way within a relatively short period of time when it comes to information communication technology. However, still more needs to be done, particularly in terms of increasing broadband speeds.
“The ability to access the internet from mobile phones and communicate worldwide from mobile phones not just through phone calls but by e-mail and messaging has made it easier for business people to conduct their business from wherever they happen to be. It has made it easier for ordinary people to start their own businesses and create employment.”
This is the second time in a few months Shamu has commended achievers in the Zimbabwean ICT industry, with HumanIPO reporting last year on his remarks at his department’s annual ICT achievers awards ceremony.
