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The Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ)’s annual Hackathon is part of the country’s ICT Innovation Drive whose major objective is to increase ICT research and development as well as its uptake by innovators and research institutions in Zimbabwe, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere has said.
The Minister made the remarks on the occasion of the POTRAZ 2022 Hackathon held in Mutare yesterday.
The top five winners of the competition had exciting innovations. The first position was won by PAL Smart Bench. It was followed by Tsimba in second place, Connected care was third, Skyview Technologies was fourth and in fifth position was Pipeline Water Leak Detection and Identification.
This year, due to ties, a total of 61 projects ended up receiving sponsorship instead of the initial 50.
Dr. Muswere said an increase in ICT research and development is achieved through identifying, supporting, and capacitating ICT innovators in the country, to develop their ideas into bankable solutions for Zimbabwe and the global market.
“It is thus always such a pleasure to be part of such events that seek to contribute positively to national development initiatives especially now when the Government is grappled with projects and programs aimed at putting our economy back on track.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, programs such as the POTRAZ Hackathon not only promote a culture of ICT innovation and development among Zimbabwean youths but also creates employment and increase the total number of home-grown ICT applications. This resonates well with the National Development Strategy One (NDS1) and calls for the development and implementation of home-grown solutions to the country’s problem as well as the creation of employment by local entrepreneurs,” Dr. Muswere said.
The government’s economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy (NDS 1) identifies ICTs and Innovation as a strategic pillar and enablers of national development. This is because of the cross-cutting nature of ICTs and Innovation as all facets of the economy have gone digital.
“Therefore, to survive in the digital world and to compete squarely with other nations in the global digital economy, the country needs innovative minds that create innovative solutions capable of transforming the country.
“Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, for accelerated innovation, Governments the world over have set up Technological Hubs. For there to be meaningful progress concerning the development of these Tech Hubs, there is a need for meaningful funding to provide the platform for innovators to flourish. As the Ministry responsible for ICTs, we call upon the private sector to establish Public-Private Partnerships with the Government towards setting up and running tech hubs. Innovations from these hubs will immensely benefit both Government and the private sector hence such partnerships are a worthwhile move,” Dr. Muswere said.
The minister added that tech hubs are breeding grounds providing innovators with the best possible platform to make their ideas a reality. The ideas will in turn make the industry more efficient, as well as make processes more productive and systems more resilient.
“As I conclude, ladies and gentlemen, kindly allow me to thank and congratulate, for a job well done, all those who took part in this edition of the POTRAZ Hackathon, be they winners or losers, it does not matter. I am sure by making it to the shortlist and even the final round of the competition, your concepts would be of value somehow. I would also like to thank the team of adjudicators for a splendid job. I am told you had to endure a sleepless night selecting the shortlist and then the eventual winners. Finally, I would like to thank the POTRAZ management and staff for organizing yet another amazing event,” Dr. Muswere added.