Is ED the man for the tomorrow?

The most important aspect of information and communication technology is that it becomes a great equalizer, both in terms of knowledge and in social and economic mobility. Greater access to information technology means greater empowerment.

Greater empowerment means better prospects and capabilities.

As American businessman, investor and philanthropist Steve Balmer said about information technology: "It is all about potential."
It is thus absolutely vital that at the dawn of a new Zimbabwe, information and communications technology should be at the forefront of our recovery and progress.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama once said: "We know that the nation that goes all-in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow."

Obviously, Zimbabwe is not the U.S., and I don't think we will quite own the global economy. However, for me, the most important part of this instructive quote is the word 'tomorrow'.
Tomorrow belongs to our youth because they will be our future leaders and will create the technology which eases the lives of millions of Zimbabweans, and others around the world.

Zimbabwe must go "all-in on innovation" because it secures jobs for our youth; it gives us the edge moving forward in our new Zimbabwe, and because the lifeblood of innovation is freedom.

Freedom to experiment.
Freedom to think outside the box.
Freedom to fail and then try again.
And freedom to work with whomever you want.

Freedom is at the heart of our today and our tomorrow. Innovation can not survive in a stifling environment, and that is why we have yet to create a 'Silicon Savannah' here in Harare or Bulawayo.

An innovator must be given room to breathe, to invent, and to grow. Characteristics that were in short supply over the previous decades.

Nevertheless, I am gratified that President Emmerson Mnangagwa appears to be following in former President Obama's footsteps and going "all-in on innovation".

Listening to him launch the ICT Policy AndInnovation Drive today, it is clear that he has the understanding and passion required to make ICT a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's future.

The President talked about developing the ICT sector as a key priority for his government. Through this policy, he said that he will strengthen small and medium enterprises, enabling Zimbabwe's innovative youth to power our economic development and create jobs.

He said he has already started establishing an e-government system powered by latest technologies, which will provide greater access, transparency and efficiency for government services.

President Mnangagwa clearly acknowledges the great potential of our youth, potential I see clearly every day in my line of work, and now has an advocate in the highest office.

He also appears to be crucially understanding that information technology and greater empowerment is not the enemy, but our greatest ally as we look towards a more free, fair and democratic Zimbabwe.

By embracing this new path and providing opportunities for our youth, the president is demonstrating that despite his years, he is very much a 'man of tomorrow'.

We need a leader who embraces the future and has no fear of technology but places it at the forefront of a new Zimbabwe where freedom and innovation are a vital mix of ingredients that will help further growth, progress and development, especially for our Zimbabwean youth.