Zimbabwe launches drone parcel deliveries

RURAL communities in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, are set to benefit from improved telecommunications connectivity and faster parcel deliveries following the launch of a mobile base station at Maitengwe and a drone delivery system operated by Zimpost.

The initiatives were unveiled during World Post Day commemorations at Bambadzi, highlighting efforts to use technology to overcome geographical barriers and connect underserved communities to the digital economy.

A demonstration flight saw a drone transport a parcel from Bambadzi to Masendu, about 50 kilometres away, with the receiving post office acknowledging the delivery within minutes.

The technology is expected to improve delivery efficiency in remote areas where conventional postal services face logistical challenges.

The new mobile base station has also improved network access for residents who previously struggled to obtain reliable telecommunications services.

"We used to climb trees to access the network," one resident said.

Another villager welcomed the development, saying: "We are so grateful. Now we use the local network, and we can buy airtime locally. We have been empowered."

Senator Chief Masendu said the improved connectivity would bring significant benefits to the community.

"Light has been brought to us; we have been removed from darkness. The mobile network will help us a lot," he said.

Bulilima legislator Dingimuzi Phuti said the projects demonstrated the Government's commitment to extending services to underserved communities.

Zimpost Postmaster-General Maxwell Chitendeni said the drone delivery system formed part of a broader strategy to integrate digital commerce with the national postal network.

"Our ambition is to create an ecosystem where a product can be advertised online, ordered by a customer, moved through the Zimpost network, and delivered to its destination," he said.

He added that the postal network could help remove geographical barriers and strengthen economic links between rural and urban communities.

Meanwhile, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is expanding digital access through community digital centres.

POTRAZ board chairperson Professor Sam Takavarasha said the authority had established 204 digital centres nationally through the Universal Service Fund, with 186 operational and providing training.

He said most of the centres were housed within post offices, positioning postal infrastructure as a platform for digital transformation.

The centres are expected to support access to e-government services, digital skills training, e-commerce, communications and financial services.

The initiatives align with the Government's National Development Strategy 2, which seeks to modernise service delivery and widen economic opportunities.

Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera directed her ministry's Permanent Secretary, working with POTRAZ and Zimpost, to coordinate a costed Postal and Courier Sector Transformation Implementation Plan within 90 days.

She said private operators, workers, relevant agencies, consumers and underserved communities should participate in developing the plan.

The World Post Day commemorations also saw 10 schools receiving Starlink kits, laptops and printers, while elderly people and persons with disabilities received food hampers from First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.

The event was held under the theme, "One postal network, infinite possibilities".