The POTRAZ Ideathon is fast becoming one of Zimbabwe’s most important national innovation programs. It is organised by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services. Furthermore, the initiative gives Zimbabweans—especially youth and aspiring entrepreneurs—a chance to develop ICT-based solutions. These address challenges facing the communities they reside.
Participants from across the country take part to identify local problems in different sectors. These include agriculture, education, healthcare and public service. Additionally, they pitch technology-driven ideas to address them. These range from mobile apps that help farmers access markets to platforms that simplify government services or expand access to remote learning in rural areas.
National Relevance, Local Impact
Moreover, what makes the Ideathon significant is its direct focus on problems faced by everyday Zimbabweans. Many of the innovations serve communities where service is in limit or traditional solutions have failed. For example, participants have explored projects related to water management, rural health access and informal business support. Therefore, these ideas are not hypothetical—they are built to function within Zimbabwe’s existing infrastructure and economic realities.
This kind of targeted innovation supports the country’s broader national agenda, particularly Vision 2030. It outlines the government’s ambition to become an upper-middle-income economy. One of the pillars of that vision is digital inclusion. This ensures that Zimbabwe’s development focuses on infrastructure, policy and its people.
Skills and Opportunity for the Next Generation
Also, beyond generating solutions, the Ideathon serves as a training ground. Participants receive practical experience in business modelling, product development and pitching. They are mentored by experts from Zimbabwe’s technology and business sectors during bootcamp sessions designed to help refine ideas into viable products.
Crucially, this process is open and inclusive. Through POTRAZ’s Community Information Centres (CICs), people from rural and low-income communities can access free internet, computers and training. These centers also serve as registration points for the Ideathon, making the program accessible to those outside Zimbabwe’s urban tech hubs.
The benefits of participation extend well beyond the competition itself. Here, many participants leave with improved digital literacy, business acumen and professional networks—skills they can apply to future ventures or employment opportunities.
A Pathway to National Development
Additionally, the Ideathon plays a strategic role in helping Zimbabwe build a knowledge-driven economy. By supporting tech-based innovation at the grassroots level, the initiative helps the country shift from being a consumer of imported technologies to becoming a producer of locally relevant, sustainable solutions.
The program also complements other government-led efforts to improve digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship. It feeds into broader development frameworks such as the Innovation Drive Fund and smart village strategies. This also helps to build a pipeline of local innovators capable of driving long-term change.
In a nation where youth unemployment remains high, the Ideathon promotes a culture of problem-solving and job creation. Rather than relying solely on traditional employment avenues, young people can build businesses that can scale and employ others.
Looking Ahead
As more Zimbabweans engage with technology and digital tools, initiatives like the POTRAZ Ideathon will play an increasingly important role. They offer a model for inclusive innovation—one where talent from across the country can contribute to national progress.
Therefore, the Ideathon is not just about coding or pitching ideas; it’s about giving Zimbabweans the opportunity to turn lived experience into meaningful solutions. It recognises that the best people to solve Zimbabwe’s problems are Zimbabweans themselves—given the chance, the tools and the platform.
How to Participate
Zimbabweans interested in participating in the next Ideathon cycle can visit the POTRAZ website or inquire at their nearest Community Information Centre. The program is open to students, entrepreneurs, developers and anyone with a tech-based idea that has the potential to improve lives.
Through this initiative, POTRAZ and the Ministry of ICT are helping to create a more connected, innovative and self-reliant Zimbabwe—one idea at a time.
