Government has completed a comprehensive ICT master plan that is expected to stimulate the Second Republic’s vision of becoming an upper middle-income economy In line with the Revolutionary Party’s winning manifesto formulation, implementation of ICT infrastructure is a major priority especially to correspond the ease of doing business to pave way for a sustainable middle income economy. In an interview, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Permanent Secretary, Dr Eng Sam Kundishora said Government under the Second Republic has developed and finalised the SMART Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy which is inclusive and cross-sectorial. “Having realized the importance of ICTs and their potential to transform the country into a knowledge-based, smart and fully inclusive society, the Government of Zimbabwe has developed the SMART Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and Implementation Strategy, which is inclusive and cross-sectorial. “The Master Plan identifies and prioritizes clear programs, projects and targets which the country should vigorously pursue while driving towards realizing the National 2030 Vision, “said Dr Kundishora. Dr Kundishora also said Zimbabwe in order to realise the attainment of the Vision 2030 needs to develop an all-inclusive guideline that clearly articulates how the country will develop, deploy and manage ICTs across all sectors. He also added that the operationalization of the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan calls for a new paradigm shift where Government Ministries will be critical in the development of programmes and projects for specific Smart Solutions for sectors they superintend over. “SMART Zimbabwe 2030 is therefore a bold and innovative commitment/initiative of the Government of Zimbabwe to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development of the country there“The initiative relies on several Pillars or ‘enablers’ that guide achievements of a range of economic and social objectives all aimed at Zimbabwe attaining an increasingly digitized and knowledge-based economy,” said Dr Kundishora. According to the parent ministry Master Plan is also critical for the development of inter-linkages with the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, which are currently being developed under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Office of the President and Cabinet. To date the ministry has layed down a series of smart solutions earmarked for various government departments, chief among them smart education, smart cities, smart agriculture and paperless cabinet among others.