Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe says his country is rolling out information and communication technology (ICT) centres to rural areas in a bid to “bridge” a digital divide.

The first such centre was officially launched at Murombedzi town, about 110 kilometres west of Harare, on Friday. Meanwhile, five other rural community based ICT centres are also ready for opening according to government officials.

The ICT centres have been set up by Zimbabwe’s information, communication and postal courier services ministry and the country’s post office Zimpost. Other unnamed private sector players have also provided equipment and assistance.

“(These) centres will benefit the ordinary people in rural areas. They are targeted at bridging the digital divide between rural and urban areas,” said Mugabe.

The community ICT centres have computers where villagers can access the internet, send emails and also have faxing, photocopying and other related services. There is also a phone device where people can insert their mobile SIM cards and make calls.

Faber Chidarikire, the Mashonaland West provincial governor, said ICT’s rapid advances have spurred on the need for such centres to help rural communities “get access to the same knowledge” as their urban counterparts.

Mugabe added that the community ICT centres are planned to help “in improving the ICT literacy within our communities”.

Community leaders in the Murombedzi area said the centre is expected to help farmers and students have access to information relevant to their day to day lives.

Delegates to the just ended African Telecommunications Union (ATU) conference in Harare toured the Murombedzi community ICT centre on Friday as well.