development agenda. This should also bridge the digital divide between the information haves and have-nots so that the internet becomes a vehicle to access services such as e-learning, e-health and e-government services among others. Government is set to launch the first Digital Village in one of the country’s remote districts in 2015. increasing GDP through the efficient use of ICTs; improving the country’s service delivery both at public and private levels; improving the nation’s ICT literacy by having data and information on the web as well as creating a conducive environment for investors. • Approximately 4 600 mobile base stations have been built across the country by the three main mobile service providers Econet, Telecel and NetOne. This has increased internet penetration from 33.4% in 2012 to 47.5% in 2014 and mobile penetration to 104%, thereby bridging the access gaps in Zimbabwe. • Currently the government is working with some State-Owned Enterprises and academic institutions (i.e. primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary), to successfully implement a programme to establish ICT facilities and have all academic institutions connected to the internet. • The government of Zimbabwe is currently engaging stakeholders in the telecommunications sector to formulate an infrastructure sharing policy to derive maximum benefit from existing and future infrastructure: this will harmonise infrastructure development at a national level and diversify service provision countrywide. • Through the establishment of Community Information Centers (CICs) in rural areas, government has enabled millions of Zimbabweans living in rural areas to access Internet services and ICTs. The CICs are platforms that bring ICTs and related services such as photocopying, printing, gaming and internet services within affordable reach of the majority rural poor, marginalised and disadvantaged communities. These information centers are set to play a pertinent role towards the full attainment of an information society in Zimbabwe. • In addition, Zimbabwe has a country strategic objective in line with regional and international programmes to optimise information networks by establishing a National Internet Exchange Point (IEP) to improve quality, reduce delays, reduce internet costs and create growth and opportunities for development. • To date, six (6) CICs have been established in Zimbabwe’s administrative provinces and have brought about commendable development as well as opening up new opportunities in respective communities. • Under the National Digital Village Project, government is working to bring broadband access to rural communities with the aim of connecting and digitising Zimbabwe’s marginalised rural communities. • The government of Zimbabwe remains committed to supporting and protecting the interests of stakeholders in the ICT sector by creating a conducive environment for business. • Using VSAT Ka Band, WIMAX and WIFI technologies, these communities would soon be contributing meaningfully to the country’s national 2.4 What is the Internet … of Things? PRESENTED BY REUBEN GWATIDZO Information Society Initiatives Trust Executive Director Reuben is a founding member of the Information Society Initiatives Trust (ISIT) and sits as a member of the Southern Africa IGF Multi-Stakeholder co-ordinating Team. He is an observer participant in the ZIGF-MCT “The Internet is not an end itself, but a means to an end…” What are the socio, economic and political impacts of the internet on Zimbabwe and the region? • The internet should be understood as a ‘tool’ that people can use to advance specific objectives. As a tool, the effectiveness of the internet, largely depends on who is using it; how one uses it; what they use it for; what benefits or consequences they accrue from using it; and to who the benefits of consequences can be directed. The origins of the internet can be traced to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), of the United States of America (USA), where it was first used in the military. Today its uses outreach its original conceptions as it is now used as a tool for social interaction, education and business among many other uses. INTERNET GOVERNANCE MULTISTAKEHOLDER CONFERENCE REPORT 2015 • Although the internet was first developed for military purposes, it is apparent today that the internet has outgrown its initial purpose, it now has far reaching consequences in every society that harnesses its power. It is important that here in Zimbabwe, and in the region as a whole, the internet be harnessed as a tool to spearhead collective national and regional development as measured against our socio, economic and political aspirations. For example the internet can generate discourse among citizens 012 www.misazim.com @misazimbabwe MISA Zimbabwe