Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, highlighted the importance of deepening digital cooperation with Russia to advance Africa’s public administration. Speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum’s first ministerial conference in Sochi, Mavetera outlined Zimbabwe’s current progress in implementing an e-government program, noting its success in reducing corruption and bribery by streamlining processes and improving transparency.
According to Mavetera, Zimbabwe aims to leverage Russia’s experience in building a modernized, efficient e-government system and hopes to adapt it to meet local needs in Zimbabwe and across Africa. The minister emphasized that, through such a partnership, Zimbabwe seeks to reduce the cost of public administration, boost digital literacy, and extend digital services to underserved populations.
“Digitalization is not just about improving efficiency,” said Mavetera. “It’s about creating access and empowering citizens who are currently left out of the digital economy.”
She added that a stronger partnership with Russia could help address challenges such as electronic fraud and cumbersome bureaucracy, enabling Zimbabwe to create a more inclusive digital ecosystem for its citizens. For many African nations, she said, building a digital infrastructure tailored to local needs could mark a new chapter in the continent’s development.
The Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which brings together leaders from across Africa and Russia, has sparked discussions around technology, economic development, and security, with digital cooperation seen as a promising area for African nations looking to modernize public services and bridge the digital divide.
