Information and Communication Technology (ICT) according to Hamelink .T (1997) , is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application , encompassing : radio , television cellular phone , computer and network hardware and software , satellite system as well as the various services and application associated with the term such as video conferencing and distance learning.ICT is a more specific term that stresses the task of integrating communications and the amalgamation of tele-communications , for examples telephone lines and wireless signals , computers , vital enterprise software and audio visual system which are used by people to access information.
From the above insight about ICT, it can be seen that the use of technology through cell phones , computers , the web , designed machines , radio and the television is of vital importance in as much as disseminating information is concerned. Zimbabwe is one of the Sub-Saharan Countries which is pursuing technological transformation, especially in the field of Information and Communication Technology. Upgrading the whole national system from an analogue to a digital system has become one of the main goals of the Zimbabwean Government.
The government of Zimbabwe through the leadership of the icon of Africa his Excellency Comrade Robert Mugabe came up with a master-plan to harness the economic situation in the country. After the landslide victory in 2013 elections, his Excellency Comrade Robert Mugabe along with his party came up with an economic blue print called the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET) as it is said to be the brain child of Zanu PF. Through this economic blue print, the country is set to achieve great rewards from value addition and beneficiation.
However it has been seen that ZIMASSET will need the support of various stakeholders and departments for the policy to cultivate positive outcomes .One of the Departments identified is Information and Communication Technology, through the use of information technology ZIMASSET will cultivate much than without the Push from ICT. T. Tsokoto, and R. Solms , (2012) The Turning Around of the Zimbabwean Economy , asserts that the use of ICT accelerates economic activities such as consumption , investments government services delivery and export competitiveness .Relating these to the ZIMASSET it is clear that ICT is vital for the implementation of the blue-print. Through the use of telecommunications including Telecel , Econet , net-one , powertel and africom , the implementation of the blue print will be a success .The use of these telecommunications by the general society will go a long way in the establishment of vital communication links between different stakeholders in as far as achieving positive results in the implementation of ZIMASSET is concerned.

A comment from Ambassador K.Moyo Herald, (March 14, 2014), says that ICT is a cross cutting sector and is one of the principal driver of economic development, ’’it is in fact one of the major pillars on which ZIMASSET strategic document is anchored on ’’. His assertion plainly shows that without ICT, the blue print will not attain much of the expected results. The use of ICT is of vital importance in the implementation of the document.
The technological environment has become one of the main stronghold of many country’s economies like Rwanda and South Africa and just like Zimbabwe, technological innovation has been seen as one of the areas where if necessary attention is rendered to it ,the growing of the sector will see the growing of the economy. Through the use of computers in various enterprises both the SMEs and big established businesses will go a long way in improving the way information is processed and stored.

The use of computers in the corporate world will go a long way in improving the way business are conducted. By virtue of its nature, computers economise in the use of time , they process information instantly and information can also be fetched without any delays. ZIMASSET can only be success if the use of computers is embraced by all the groups of the corporate sector if positive results are to be realised. ZIMASSET can be driven forward to better altitudes if the business sector uses computers.
Computerised production systems make production a superfluous process. The ease with which the production process is controlled by computers will increase capacity and quality goods and services will be produced. An example is the use of the computerised conveyor belts at ALFA and Omega Dairy Products ,has seen an increase in the units produced. Alfa and Omega is also increasing the use of more technological oriented machines which are helping the company to achieve more output hence increasing revenues. According to the company statistics , the operational manager asserts that the use of these computer oriented machines will increase output as well as increasing the number of employees working for the company , this will satisfy the issue of job creation mentioned in the ZIMASSET blue print (Newsday Zimbabwe) ,2015.

The use of internet is one of the fundamental criteria that can assist in the implementation of the ZIMASSET blue print. Internet has seen the development of so many platforms which businesses are using to market their products and services, the marketing strategy is known as E-Marketing. E-Marketing makes use of the available social sites as well as web-sites which disseminates information to the general internet users. In the Zimbabwean context and prior to the implementation of the ZIMASSET, the internet can be utilised by the local businesses to market their products and services. An example of a site which markets local products and services for Zimbabwean products is Technomag.
Through E-Market Zimbabwean entrepreneurs (SMEs) as well as established companies can get their realise growth in their business activities since the internet is made up of a huge number of users both local and international. This will support one of the main aim of ZIMASSET of promoting local products and services. According to World Economic Forum 2012 comments that technology helps nations to overcome economic stagnation. This comment from the Economic Forum clearly shows that technology is of paramount importance if positive economic results are to be achieved.

The internet can also promote ZIMASSET aim of spreading the news of a good investing area . Through the internet potential investors are triggered to venture in investing in Zimbabwe. The unbiased information provided by the relevant bodies of the government to the outside world will go a long way in establishing good relations with the international community. Zimbabwe has already started getting aid from large investors such as China, Japan , India and Russia only to mention a few. The help is being rendered on the basis of discovering that Zimbabwe is good and safe country to invest in .The use of the internet has seen the creation of these relations being strengthened.
The internet is an important aspect as far as the education sector is concerned, one of ZIMASSET mandate is to upgrade the education system through distance learning as well as accessing the internet information for academic use . Education is one the sector mentioned by President Robert Mugabe to be the backbone of change in Zimbabwe.ICT can play a master role in making sure that information for scholars is readily available for the betterment of the education system of Zimbabwe. A tangible example is Midlands State University which is currently reaping positive rewards from the use of the E- Learning platform. Students can now access information for their academic use, hence satisfying ZIMASSET goal of upgrading the education sector.

One of the areas which is stipulated in the ZIMASSET Is the Tourism Sector. Only when relations are good with the outside world , the country will receive large numbers of foreign visitors.E-Marketing will play the role of making sure that the true picture of Zimbabwe is portrayed in the rightful manner. E-Marketing of the Tourism Sector will disqualify all negative publicity by some publishing departments.ICT will also assist the handling of visitors through an electronic system which store information of reservations as well as handling customers inquiries. This will go a long way in improving the competitiveness of the local tourism sector with international tourism destinations.
Connectivity is very important if information is to be shared among different sects of the society. Tele-communications must play a pivotal role in making sure that ZIMASSET comes to realise a bumper harvest. The economy of Zimbabwe cannot thrive without people connecting, idea sharing and exchanging proposals. Companies in the telecommunication industry, for example Telecel, Econet, Net-one and small data providers like powertell and Africom have to make sure they mother the turning around of the economy through connecting people locally and internationally wise.
Companies like Econet are now leading in giving information to farmers through the use of an SMS platform known as the eco-farmer platform. From this platform farmers are now able to get information about the type of plants suitable for their different climatic environment and also they are now being offered credit facilities to enhance their agricultural output. Through the use this messaging platform , the Agricultural sector is set to increase its output since almost everyone is subjected to the use of a mobile phone, especially an Econet line .Connecting this to ZIMASSET can be seen that telecommunications have a greater impact in transforming the economy of the country.

The use of radio stations is of paramount importance in as far as implementing the ZIMASSET is concerned. Studies by Malcom,F.(2002) ,Information System , Prentice Hall , Liverpool, asserts that the use of radio stations has got an impact in disseminating information to the general populace. In line with the ZIMASSET blue print, the radio station will go a long way in promoting the local indigenous business operators. Radio stations can be used as a marketing tool of products and services. The use of the radio station can also be used as a way of telling the world at large about the ZIMASSET blue print. Informing people about the benefits of the blue- print.
The use of the radio station can also assist the local music industry to enhance and promote local talent. Minister for Media and Communications encouraged the promotion of the local music industry through 100% utilisation of all local radio stations in the country like Power-fm , Star-fm , ZI-fm and Radio Zimbabwe. This use of these radio stations will pave way for quality and well known artist to become a world icon and by so doing marketing the mother country an example is Oliver Mtukudzi who is the United Nations Ambassador. This is also seen in recent developments made by one radio station Star fm, it developed a platform or a website on which one can download local songs .In this case it benefits all after paying for them in certain way even the artists in that they also get the recognition they sorely need and the appreciation of the work they are doing as well.

Tsokoto and Solms (2010) comments that ICT should be seen as a vital means to drive economies to greater altitude. The observation by Solms and Tsokoto clearly depicts the need for Information and Communication Technology for better economic rewards .Information and Communication Technology connects people , societal modernisation and competitiveness . Zimbabwe is set to achieve its Millennium Development Goals through the use of ICT .In conclusion or in wrapping up this discussion it can be seen that ICT is relevant in driving the ZIMASSET blue-print vision into action as mentioned also above because there is no ZIMASSET without the intervention of ICT.