‘Dormant websites a barrier to efficiency’

Bulawayo Bureau

In an era where digital accessibility is paramount, several Government websites designed to provide the public with easy access to information are currently down, a situation that has raised significant concerns about the ease of doing business, particularly various administrative and regulatory processes.

The downtime of Government websites also has broader implications for the country’s business environment as it undermines confidence in the digital infrastructure and can deter potential investors and entrepreneurs.

During the last Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Mnangagwa highlighted the challenge of outdated and infrequently updated ministry websites, saying this creates a communication gap that hinders investment and business operations in Zimbabwe.

“It is a misnomer that with the abundant ICT skills and capacities among young people, our Government has only a few functional and up-to-date ministry websites. More should be done to improve this situation.

“Likewise, Government communication dissemination strategies and overall messaging must be improved,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Government’s Internet Service Provider (GISP), responsible for hosting the official websites under the www.zim.gov.zw domain, is facing downtime. The duration of the outage remains unclear, but it is affecting access to the websites of many ministries, departments, and parastatals.

It has been established that out of 25 ministries, only 12 have functional websites, while the rest are either down or not updated regularly. Some ministries have opted to host their own websites to ensure continued access to Government services and information. However, even these sites are not consistently updated.

Notably, the newly-established Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle is yet to have a website.

Of the 87 parastatals and Government agencies, most have functional and up-to-date websites.

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), for example, boasts one of the most interactive and informative websites, which is regularly updated to attract investors.

ZIDA’s corporate affairs manager Ms Judith Mbetu said effective communication was crucial for positioning Zimbabwe as a premier investment destination.

“For investors, clarity, consistency and accessibility of information are essential to mitigating risks and expediting investment decision-making processes.

“Through integrated communication systems including an interactive website, digital brochures and direct engagement platforms, ZIDA ensures that investors receive accurate and timely information,” she said.

Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera acknowledged the challenges and said her ministry is collaborating with the GISP to improve Government websites and email systems.

“We are working towards making sure that the President’s expectation of improving communication is a reality. While as a ministry we are not responsible for hosting websites, we will work closely with the Government Internet Service Provider, to host Government internet services,” she said.

Bulawayo-based ICT expert, Mr Robert Ndlovu, emphasised the need for African governments to revolutionise their communication systems.

Zimbabwe Institute of Public Relations (ZIPR) president Mr Thando Nkomo said functional websites are essential for maintaining an informed citizenry and ensuring Government accountability.