Technology / Internet
Declaring Bulawayo as an i-hub will be a fulfillment of ZimAsset
29 Jan 2014 at 08:18hrs | Views
As a continuation on the previous publication on "Bulawayo should be declared an iHub as part of resuscitation" it is paramount to take into cognizance the five year strategic plan with special regard to establishment of an iHUB as envisioned by Zim Asset.
Bulawayo is home to the largest in-state innovation network in the country as it houses the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), acknowledging the inherent opportunities available within the city to connect the emerging labor force with existing businesses and entrepreneurial start-up companies. As the government is expected to declare Bulawayo a special economic zone during the first quarter of 2014 after the finalization of amendments to the Investment Act, so that the City enjoys tax incentives and exemption from duty on importation of raw materials, and to create an investor-friendly environment; the iHub will improve the City's national and global competiveness by stimulating partnerships, economic development, and job creation around specific research clusters through City designed iHub. By coming up with Zim Asset, Government seeks to address on a sustainable basis, the numerous challenges affecting quality service delivery and economic growth. Increased investment in infrastructure such as telecommunication, through acceleration in the implementation of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other private sector driven Initiatives. The key drivers for this growth and employment creation will be accelerated development through value addition processes in the ICT sector.
The implementation of this Plan will rely on the following Key Success Factors (KSFs):
i. Political commitment and leadership from the highest level.
ii. Strong collaborative partnerships among Government agencies, the private sector, citizens and other stakeholders;
iii. Human capital development programmes to enhance the acquisition of requisite skills;
iv. Scientific research and development;
Implementation wise, National University of Science of Technology may provide a platform for the transfer of ideas discovered in nationally recognized laboratories and universities to private industry for the enhancement of an existing product or the creation of a new start up enterprise. Also providing an advantage to Bulawayo firms through the introduction of new technologies, processes, research and development (R&D) solutions into its existing business practice. Innovators will benefit from the academic and research partnerships through National University of Science of Technology. Providing access to high level resources and services e.g. business planning, legal and talent recruitment can form part of the potential sustainability models. Inadequate skills will be addressed by hiring qualified trainers, employees, technical experts and mentors to train the undergraduates. Introduction of investor education programs to address the challenge of seed capital, this program should entail development of human capital, technological capital and financial capital. In return these graduates from NUST and Vocational Training Centres will leverage Zimbabwe's national and international market-share in human and investment capital as a global destination for leadership in innovation opportunities. In order for these institutions to partner with local Internet providers who will provide a subsidized Internet basket for faster acceleration of the innovations being developed by their members, it will be important to Increase ICTPCS access; improve broadband capacity realizable at PFMS terminal points to at least 1Mbps through capacitating Tel One, Net One and Power Tel.
Bulawayo houses ZITF Company which organizes and manages international exhibitions and events to promote trade and investment through innovation and value edition for the benefit of its stakeholders. ZITF will play a critical role in facilitating a linkage for the inducement of investment funding to an inventor towards the commercialization of concepts into products so that the eventual production occurs within the Zimbabwe economy. As a result new and stronger relationships will be forged local and eventually national and international partners to nurture and accelerate the commercialization of clean and emerging technologies. Deeper organization and connections among Partners will allow already robust iHub partner programs to work in concert- encouraging more effective and efficient implementation.
The ZITF Company's location in Bulawayo puts it at the crossroads of the regional trade route. The annually Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) exhibition which is part of the South African Department of Trade and Industry's Export and Investment Promotion Strategy, comprising of companies in various sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, mining and mining capital equipment, as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seeking to export South African value-added products and services or to establish joint venture partnerships with Zimbabwean companies; can be of strategic influence for networking and joint venture partnership purposes considering the fact that South Africa has the highest number of iHubs in Africa. Through this exhibition, Bulawayo as an iHub will be able to address challenges such as, limited investment capacity, lack of strategic partners, quality assurance of their products, infrastructural challenges, inadequate seed capital and inadequate skills and exposure.
Success factors
Government offices in particular Mhlahlandlela will not only provide conduit assistance for the interaction of existing government owned assets, but also Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms(Result Based Management) will be put in place to ensure products/services and planned activities are measured against a set of indicators and an associated feedback loop to ensure high standards and delivery are met on a continuous level to address quality assurance issues, facilities and operations with venture-supported startup companies for the testing and evaluation of products in development.
Hubs overview
The primary objectives of the iHub will be to coordinate and catalyze activities that increase the job base, entrepreneurism, and research funding in the region. This will be accomplished through increased collaboration between emerging industry clusters and supportive or related sectors such as universities, VCTs, financiers, entrepreneurs, workforce development agencies, business assistance organizations and government. Though Bulawayo iHub will be in nascent stages of development, it can be a nexus point for economic growth and ‘techprenuership' development in Africa. In addition, this innovation space can be viewed as a catalyst for socio-economic development through creation of technology-led entrepreneurs. Indeed, Innovation hubs can be most effective when they harness the idea of openness and community-driven approaches through collaborative events, sharing knowledge and encouraging development of innovations that have a positive impact in the society as a whole.
NKOSANA GEORGE. MAZIBISA s a Zimbabwe Youth Council board member (Representing the Information and Communication Sector) can be contacted on mazibisa@yahoo.com He writes in his personal capacity.
Bulawayo is home to the largest in-state innovation network in the country as it houses the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), acknowledging the inherent opportunities available within the city to connect the emerging labor force with existing businesses and entrepreneurial start-up companies. As the government is expected to declare Bulawayo a special economic zone during the first quarter of 2014 after the finalization of amendments to the Investment Act, so that the City enjoys tax incentives and exemption from duty on importation of raw materials, and to create an investor-friendly environment; the iHub will improve the City's national and global competiveness by stimulating partnerships, economic development, and job creation around specific research clusters through City designed iHub. By coming up with Zim Asset, Government seeks to address on a sustainable basis, the numerous challenges affecting quality service delivery and economic growth. Increased investment in infrastructure such as telecommunication, through acceleration in the implementation of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other private sector driven Initiatives. The key drivers for this growth and employment creation will be accelerated development through value addition processes in the ICT sector.
The implementation of this Plan will rely on the following Key Success Factors (KSFs):
i. Political commitment and leadership from the highest level.
ii. Strong collaborative partnerships among Government agencies, the private sector, citizens and other stakeholders;
iii. Human capital development programmes to enhance the acquisition of requisite skills;
iv. Scientific research and development;
Implementation wise, National University of Science of Technology may provide a platform for the transfer of ideas discovered in nationally recognized laboratories and universities to private industry for the enhancement of an existing product or the creation of a new start up enterprise. Also providing an advantage to Bulawayo firms through the introduction of new technologies, processes, research and development (R&D) solutions into its existing business practice. Innovators will benefit from the academic and research partnerships through National University of Science of Technology. Providing access to high level resources and services e.g. business planning, legal and talent recruitment can form part of the potential sustainability models. Inadequate skills will be addressed by hiring qualified trainers, employees, technical experts and mentors to train the undergraduates. Introduction of investor education programs to address the challenge of seed capital, this program should entail development of human capital, technological capital and financial capital. In return these graduates from NUST and Vocational Training Centres will leverage Zimbabwe's national and international market-share in human and investment capital as a global destination for leadership in innovation opportunities. In order for these institutions to partner with local Internet providers who will provide a subsidized Internet basket for faster acceleration of the innovations being developed by their members, it will be important to Increase ICTPCS access; improve broadband capacity realizable at PFMS terminal points to at least 1Mbps through capacitating Tel One, Net One and Power Tel.
Bulawayo houses ZITF Company which organizes and manages international exhibitions and events to promote trade and investment through innovation and value edition for the benefit of its stakeholders. ZITF will play a critical role in facilitating a linkage for the inducement of investment funding to an inventor towards the commercialization of concepts into products so that the eventual production occurs within the Zimbabwe economy. As a result new and stronger relationships will be forged local and eventually national and international partners to nurture and accelerate the commercialization of clean and emerging technologies. Deeper organization and connections among Partners will allow already robust iHub partner programs to work in concert- encouraging more effective and efficient implementation.
The ZITF Company's location in Bulawayo puts it at the crossroads of the regional trade route. The annually Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) exhibition which is part of the South African Department of Trade and Industry's Export and Investment Promotion Strategy, comprising of companies in various sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, mining and mining capital equipment, as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seeking to export South African value-added products and services or to establish joint venture partnerships with Zimbabwean companies; can be of strategic influence for networking and joint venture partnership purposes considering the fact that South Africa has the highest number of iHubs in Africa. Through this exhibition, Bulawayo as an iHub will be able to address challenges such as, limited investment capacity, lack of strategic partners, quality assurance of their products, infrastructural challenges, inadequate seed capital and inadequate skills and exposure.
Success factors
Government offices in particular Mhlahlandlela will not only provide conduit assistance for the interaction of existing government owned assets, but also Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms(Result Based Management) will be put in place to ensure products/services and planned activities are measured against a set of indicators and an associated feedback loop to ensure high standards and delivery are met on a continuous level to address quality assurance issues, facilities and operations with venture-supported startup companies for the testing and evaluation of products in development.
Hubs overview
The primary objectives of the iHub will be to coordinate and catalyze activities that increase the job base, entrepreneurism, and research funding in the region. This will be accomplished through increased collaboration between emerging industry clusters and supportive or related sectors such as universities, VCTs, financiers, entrepreneurs, workforce development agencies, business assistance organizations and government. Though Bulawayo iHub will be in nascent stages of development, it can be a nexus point for economic growth and ‘techprenuership' development in Africa. In addition, this innovation space can be viewed as a catalyst for socio-economic development through creation of technology-led entrepreneurs. Indeed, Innovation hubs can be most effective when they harness the idea of openness and community-driven approaches through collaborative events, sharing knowledge and encouraging development of innovations that have a positive impact in the society as a whole.
NKOSANA GEORGE. MAZIBISA s a Zimbabwe Youth Council board member (Representing the Information and Communication Sector) can be contacted on mazibisa@yahoo.com He writes in his personal capacity.
Source - Nkosana George Mazibisa
