ABU DHABI: Zimbabwe plans to build a US$1 billion media industry and is looking forward to the World Media Congress to be held in Abu Dhabi in November to find new ideas, partners and collaborators from around the world, said a senior official told Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“Zimbabwe’s ‘Vision 2030’ envisions transforming the country’s 15 million people into a middle and upper income population by 2030. This will be a game-changer and the plans for building a media industry from one billion dollars will help realize this vision,” said Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting.
In an exclusive interview with WAM during her official visit to Dubai, she said that the media sector in Zimbabwe is looking forward to collaborating with media organizations around the world, especially in the United Arab Emirates and the Persian Gulf, the digital content creation, website hosting and cinema. production.
“There are also many other opportunities, especially in the field of television and radio. I believe that the World Media Congress in Abu Dhabi will be a golden opportunity for us to showcase the potential of Zimbabwe’s media sector. and to seek partners and investors to join our efforts for future growth,” Mutsvangwa stressed.
World Media Congress
The minister was referring to the first edition of the World Media Congress, to be held in Abu Dhabi from November 15-17, 2022 and organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in strategic partnership with the Emirates News Agency (WAM ) .
Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, the event will include a press conference and an exhibition, which will allow various media organizations to discuss partnership agreements and of cooperation.
Prominent media leaders and global influencers, in addition to academics and students, will participate in the Congress, which will address several key topics such as digital communication, artificial intelligence, cutting-edge technologies and innovation in the media sector. It will host specialized sessions covering journalism, radio, television, internet, social media and international influencers.
The event will serve as a platform for international companies interested in engaging in media markets in the Gulf region, the Middle East and North Africa, according to organizers.
Digitization of radio, television and media
The minister said Zimbabwe was keen to attend the Congress to showcase opportunities worth $1 billion in its media sector. There was only one TV channel and six radio stations for the past 40 years in Zimbabwe. However, the current government has licensed seven commercial TV channels and over 38 radio stations. “There is still a lot of potential,” she stressed.
Zimbabwe launched a digitization project in the media sector in 2015, but unfortunately due to lack of funding it was not completed, Mutsvangwa revealed.
“We would like to complete it. We are still growing. It is an industry that is still almost in its infancy. It can grow many times over. So there are a lot of opportunities in digitalization. We would like to attract investors who can come on board to get licenses or work with local businesses to make sure our media sector grows further,” she explained.
Zimbabwe’s media sector is also seeking training opportunities, modern studios and the latest equipment for broadcast and film production, and digitization of existing analogue television channels, the minister said.
Media Event, National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai
Major Zimbabwean media organizations showcased such opportunities at a Zimbabwe-hosted media event Friday at Expo 2020 Dubai, Mutsvangwa said.
“The media has benefited a lot from this Expo 2020. So we are excited about the Expo. That’s why our media came here. Some of our country’s biggest media partners participated in the media event.”
Zimbabwe will celebrate its National Day at its Expo pavilion on Monday in the presence of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
The president and senior officials from his official delegation will also address a business forum in Dubai on Monday, which will be “another opportunity for Zimbabwean businessmen to meet their counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and other of the 190 countries participating in this very special exhibition,” said the President. said the minister.
“The United Arab Emirates is our very good partner, as a gateway to markets in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.”
Zimbabwe is seeking investments and partnerships in the agriculture, mining, pharmaceuticals and energy sectors. “There are many win-win opportunities between the two countries,” Mutsvangwa said.
