By Kwedu News
Harare, Zimbabwe – In a significant move to boost the country’s digital economy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved the licensing of Starlink, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite operator owned by SpaceX which will provide advanced internet and digital processing services in Zimbabwe.
This comes as many Zimbabweans were accusing Government of blocking the high speed internet provider after issuing threats that those found with the company’s internet receiver kits will be arrest as it was not licensed yet, a case in point is Neville Mtsvangwa’s arrest.
Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, writing on his X handle, said the development is part of his Government’s support of science and innovation.
“One of the strategic pillars that anchor the 2nd Republic’s developmental agenda under Vision 2030 is innovation, science, and technology.
“Prioritization of the digital economy and the emerging importance of technology in our day-to-day activities requires Government to lead from the front in providing an environment where investment in technology is promoted,” said President Mnangagwa.
Through its local partner, IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd, Starlink is expected to deploy high-speed, low-cost internet infrastructure across Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas, fulfilling the administration’s promise to “leave no one and no place behind.”
“The investment confidence expressed by Starlink in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications infrastructure also dovetails with the 2nd Republic’s mantra, ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I encourage more investment by foreign conglomerates in Zimbabwe as we are an investment destination of choice,” he added.
President Mnangagwa congratulated IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd and Starlink on the nee investment milestone, stating that investments of this magnitude and strategic “importance represent the cornerstone for achieving the 2nd Republic’s objective of having a fully digitalized, upper-middle-income economy by 2030.”
This development is expected to revolutionize Zimbabwe’s digital and communications technology landscape, providing a significant boost to the country’s economic growth and development.
