Digital Technologies and Economic Development in Zimbabwe

Digital technology has proven helpful in enhancing economic growth and development in several countries globally. This article examines the root causes of low levels of digital technology usage in Zimbabwe and explores the opportunities it could tap into using digital technologies. Using qualitative research techniques, published literature from online repositories was reviewed. It emerges that the leading causes of Zimbabwe’s low digital technological advancement are macroeconomic factors, poor infrastructure, irregular power supply in urban and rural areas, political upheaval, which affects the country’s ability to attract investment, a lack of ICT-skilled experts, and poor institutional frameworks, regulatory challenges, high internet costs, information asymmetry, and complex tax regime structures. Leveraging digital technologies in the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors will boost Zimbabwe’s economic growth. To benefit, it must develop and amend ICT policies, mobilize financial and non-financial resources, and form strategic alliances with technologically developed economies.