Sovereignty isn’t isolation

IMAGINE a Zimbabwe where a student in a remote village in Chipinge can access worldclass online education, or a communal farmer in Gokwe can get real-time market prices to improve their livelihood. Today, these dreams remain out of reach due to the digital divide. Yet, voices like Tatenda Sibanda’s in State-owned media fear that global technology compromises sovereignty. His article casts Starlink and similar innovations as wolves in sheep's clothing, without providing any evidence of nefarious intentions. This argument overlooks the tremendous potential these technologies hold to bridge Zimbabwe's digital divide and empower its citizens.

Sibanda’s concerns about Starlink create a false dichotomy: choosing between embracing global tech initiatives and maintaining digital sovereignty. This argument overlooks Zimbabwe's recent launch of three comprehensive ICT policies, which are the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, National ICT Policy, and National Broadband Plan. This strongly suggests that Harare does not shy away from global engagement.

Integrating Starlink’s services with these national efforts could provide the ubiquitous connectivity necessary to truly democratise information access and contribute to Zimbabwe’s ambitious infrastructural goals.

Today, a staggering half of the global population still lacks internet access. This digital divide disproportionately affects low and middle-income countries, further exacerbating existing inequalities. In the Global South, only 14% of rural areas have internet connectivity compared to 42% in urban centres, according to the International Telecommunication Union. This stark contrast underscores the urgency of bridging the gap. We need solutions that prioritise affordable, accessible and reliable connectivity, especially in marginalised rural communities.

According to Kepios, the internet penetration rate in Zimbabwe stood at 32,6% at the start of 2024. This means that only around onethird of the population has access to the internet according to Datareportal. Based on the provided figures, an estimated 11,33 million people in Zimbabwe did not use the internet at the beginning of 2024. This translates to a staggering 67,4% of the population remaining offline.

Instead of seeing Starlink as potentially undermining Zimbabwe's digital independence, what if we view it as a potential partner to help to bridge the connectivity gap in our urban, rural and remote areas? The government’s ICT infrastructure efforts are commendable, but there’s room for collaboration. Moreover, Starlink’s highspeed internet could be transformative for education, health and agriculture — directly supporting President Emmerson Mnangagawa’s call for improved digital services nationwide. Furthermore, introducing Starlink to the market could foster healthy competition in the data services sector. Right now, costs are unreasonably high for many Zimbabweans; more players could drive down prices, benefiting consumers across the board.

The fear that foreign tech giants will crush local innovation is unfounded and ignores the definition of the word — innovation is not a zero-sum game. Building on this commitment, Zimbabwe’s ICT policy prioritises homegrown ingenuity and Starlink and other players could boost this by giving us the infrastructure and global connections our entrepreneurs crave. In today's world, partnerships are essential, because isolation stunts growth.

The author further weakens his argument by drawing parallels between Zimbabwe’s approach to Starlink and the US’s stance on TikTok. This introduces a misleading comparison. The concerns surrounding TikTok in the US are entangled in geopolitical tensions and specific data handling practices unique to social media platforms — a far cry from the regulatory and operational considerations of bringing satellite internet to Zimbabwe. It's critical to compare apples with apples, not with oranges, or in this case, satellites with social media applications. The need for robust connectivity is clear, and it is essential to evaluate Starlink on this basis while upholding net neutrality and prioritising the expansion of Zimbabwe’s fledgling digital economy.

I must say, Zimbabwe’s ICT policies and infrastructural projects should be paving the way for a digitally inclusive future. The inclusion of Starlink in this landscape should not be seen as capitulation to foreign influence but as an opportunity to expedite the country's digital transformation.