The government has said the incentives which it has provided for the ICT sector in the 2023 national budget will make digital devices a lot more affordable, beginning next year.
Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati said by removing associated taxes and duties on selected ICT products, the government has been able to address the cost of devices which are expected to be more affordable.
Mr Mutati government’s ICT policy underlines the importance of universal access to digital devices, but all that must be done is to support connectivity and minimize the digital gap.
Speaking during a panel discussion in Chongwe at the Innovation Africa Ministerial Summit 2022, attended by more than 300 delegates, Mr Mutati said the government is also looking at developing a legal framework to address the digital gap.
The minister, however, said what the government has discovered while embarking on this, is the need to provide incentives that can motivate people, particularly those in rural areas to get connected.
He said such incentives should be able to provide digital services and devices that can motivate those in rural communities to get connected.
Mr Mutati said it is for this reason the government is introducing services that can only be supported digitally as a deliberate measure to have people digitally connected in order for them to access government services.
Meanwhile, Mr Mutati said as part of increasing financial inclusion, banking services are now going as close to people in rural areas as possible, digitally, thereby minimizing the digital divide in the country.
Source: mybrytnewsroom.com
