ZVARAI Primary School former teacher, Tatenda Nyamupinga, recounts how he walked 60 kilometres from Magunje growth point to his teaching base in 1999.
“It was my first salary and I had to withdraw it at People’s Own Savings Bank [POSB] at Magunje growth point. I had a one-way trip bus fare because I was convinced I was going to get the money," he recalled.
"To my surprise, the bank tellers told me that there were issues with my account and there was no money."
He added:“I had to walk back because I had no bus fare. It was one of the most painful days in my life. If cellphones were there then, I could have easily checked my balance.”
For decades, Zimbabwe's rural areas lagged in access to technology and connectivity, relying largely on subsistence agriculture and traditional ways of doing business.
However, a quiet digital revolution is beginning to take shape in these underdeveloped regions, with advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT) transforming lives.
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This change is not only bringing the rural folk into the fold of the digital economy but is also providing vital access to services such as healthcare, education and e-commerce.
With growing government efforts to improve rural connectivity, the digital divide that once separated rural and urban Zimbabwe is narrowing.
In Mutoko, a predominantly rural area known for farming, the once-dusty marketplace has seen a new kind of activity — digital transactions.
Shop owner Isaac Zunde said digital paying platforms have helped consumers.
“In the past, customers had to travel long distances to withdraw money to pay bills or buy groceries. Now, thanks to mobile applications, they can pay using their phones,” he said.
E-health services have emerged as a game-changer for rural healthcare, especially in remote regions where clinics and hospitals are few and far between.
Services like VaxiMate, a mobile platform designed to track vaccination schedules for children, are helping parents to keep track of critical health information.
At a rural health clinic in Binga, a nurse, Miriam Mutimba, describes the impact of ICT on healthcare. “We can now schedule appointments online and share medical information with larger hospitals. Patients with chronic conditions, like diabetes, can send us their daily blood sugar readings via SMS, allowing us to monitor their health without them having to travel to the clinic," Mutimba said.
Digital tools have also opened doors for telemedicine, where patients can consult doctors remotely.
This service has saved lives, as patients in remote areas no longer need to spend days travelling to access specialised care.
Recognising the transformative power of ICT, the Zimbabwean government has made efforts to improve infrastructure and connectivity in rural areas.
Through the Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services ministry, several initiatives have been launched to increase internet penetration.
Speaking at the launch of the National ICT Policy in 2020, former ICT minister Jenfan Muswere highlighted government's plans to bridge the digital divide.
“The government has committed to building community information centres in rural areas, equipping them with computers and providing free internet access to citizens. We want rural communities to be part of the knowledge economy,” he said.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has also taken significant steps.
Through the Universal Services Fund, Potraz is setting-up base stations in remote areas to improve mobile network coverage.
E-commerce has spread into rural Zimbabwe and platforms like EcoCash are popular among rural entrepreneurs.
Rural farmers are increasingly selling their products online, leveraging on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to reach markets they previously could not access.
The internet has become a virtual marketplace, enabling farmers to bypass middlemen and connect directly with buyers, ensuring better prices for their produce.
"This year, I was able to sell my maize harvest directly to buyers in Harare through Facebook," John Gwashure, a farmer from Guruve said. "Before, we were at the mercy of middlemen, but now I know exactly who I am dealing with and I get better profits."
Local craftspeople have also embraced the e-commerce wave.
In Lupane, Ncube Sihlengisizwe runs an online store selling traditional baskets.
“I used to sell my baskets at the local market, but now I have clients as far as Bulawayo and even South Africa, thanks to social media.”
ICT is playing a pivotal role in revolutionising education in rural Zimbabwe. Through platforms like EcoSchool and Ruzivo Digital Learning, rural students now have access to online learning materials that they once only dreamed of.
In areas like Tsholotsho, where schools were struggling to find textbooks, teachers are now using tablets loaded with e-books and interactive learning programmes.
“We used to have one textbook shared by five students, but now every child can access digital materials,” Charity Chikoko, a teacher in Matobo said.
“It has improved our pass rate and children are more engaged.”
Through partnerships with private companies and NGOs, government has initiated digital literacy training programmes for teachers and students. These efforts are ensuring that rural learners are not left behind in the global shift towards digital learning.
While progress is being made, there are still significant challenges. Power outages, lack of affordable devices and the cost of internet access remain major hurdles in rural areas.
Additionally, some elderly citizens struggle to adopt new technologies, leaving them reliant on traditional methods of communication and trade.
ICT expert, Tonderai Chaza, emphasised the need for more investment.
“To fully bridge the digital divide, we need a holistic approach. Affordable solar power solutions should be introduced in rural areas to address electricity shortages. At the same time, digital literacy campaigns must reach even the most remote communities to ensure everyone benefits from the digital revolution,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the momentum towards digitiation in Zimbabwe’s rural areas is undeniable. The transformation is improving livelihoods, providing new opportunities and connecting rural Zimbabwe to the rest of the world like never before.