Zimbabwe’s digital revolution is gaining momentum as Starlink technology is deployed to township communities, helping bridge the connectivity gap.
In Mbare, one of Harare’s oldest high-density suburbs, a newly commissioned digital centre is bringing fast, reliable internet to the heart of the community, marking a turning point since the launch of Starlink last year.
The centre, officially opened yesterday by minister of information, communication, technology, postal and courier service, Tatenda Matevera, is equipped with high-performance laptops and Starlink-powered internet, giving residents free access to digital tools and training.
“This is a milestone for Mbare as we commissioned the new digital centre built by the Mbare Renewal Project team, a critical step in democratizing digital access. This initiative will bridge the digital divide in high-density areas and empower youth with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills,” said Mavetera.
The local Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation reported that the grassroots-built facility, located in Matapi, Mbare, is a product of local determination.
Led by the Mbare Renewal Project and constructed almost entirely by community members, the centre offers free digital literacy training, already benefiting youth, small businesses, and job seekers.
“Our vision is to have inclusive development and bring tangible realities of the digital economy to places like Mbare. We are capacitating this lab through the Presidential Computerisation Programme and our goal is to replicate this model across the country,” said minister.
The minister also highlighted the impact of the digital centre’s training efforts to the country’s underserved communities.
“So far, 68 people have graduated with digital foundation skills. This is just the beginning. We need to identify digital ambassadors and empower more young people through our 1.5 million coding programme as we move towards Vision 2030.”
Residents welcomed the Starlink-powered centre that has already started changing lives in the high density suburb.
Minister Matevera underlined that the Mbare model, built on community ownership and Starlink connectivity, stands as a blueprint for township transformation, demonstrating how local action and government support can bridge Zimbabwe’s digital divide..
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