By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a key regional player in strengthening emergency telecommunications and disaster preparedness systems following the hosting of a major regional capacity-building workshop in Harare.
The country, through the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, hosted the ITU–SADC Emergency Telecommunications and Early Warning for All Regional Capacity Building Workshop, bringing together policymakers, regulators and telecommunications experts from across Southern Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, POTRAZ Deputy Director General Mr Alfred Marisa on behalf of Director General Gift K. Machengete, said Zimbabwe remains committed to advancing regional collaboration in disaster preparedness through resilient telecommunications systems.
“Zimbabwe is proud to host this important gathering and remains committed to advancing regional cooperation in emergency telecommunications preparedness,” he said.
The workshop was organised in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union and the Southern African Development Community.
It seeks to strengthen technical capacity within SADC member states while promoting the adoption of harmonised frameworks designed to improve communication during emergencies.
Experts say robust telecommunications infrastructure is critical in disaster situations, enabling authorities to deliver early warnings, coordinate emergency responses and provide real-time information to affected communities.
Zimbabwe’s hosting of the workshop reflects the country’s growing role in regional discussions on digital infrastructure resilience and disaster risk reduction.
Recent years have seen Southern Africa increasingly affected by climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts and cyclones, which have exposed vulnerabilities in telecommunications infrastructure and early warning systems.
Machengete said regulators and policymakers must work together to ensure telecommunications networks are resilient, secure and capable of operating even during extreme conditions.
This includes exploring technologies such as satellite communications, improving spectrum planning and encouraging infrastructure sharing among telecommunications operators.
He also emphasized the importance of inclusive communication systems that ensure disaster alerts reach all citizens, including those living in remote areas and those without access to modern digital technologies.
Over the three-day workshop, participants are expected to share experiences, review existing preparedness frameworks and develop strategies to strengthen emergency telecommunications across the region.
Officials say the discussions will contribute to improved national disaster communication systems while reinforcing regional cooperation in protecting communities from the growing risks posed by climate change.
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