• Zimbabwe will deploy 8,000 Starlink internet kits to primary and secondary schools nationwide.

• The government aims to close the digital divide, especially in remote and underserved areas.

• Authorities already connected 3,500 of the country’s 7,000 schools through international programs.

The Zimbabwean government decided to equip primary and secondary schools with 8,000 Starlink internet kits. Authorities said the initiative seeks to guarantee nationwide connectivity for schools, with a particular focus on remote and poorly served areas.

The Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, today donated 8,000 Starlink internet kits to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education under the Presidential Internet Scheme.

The consignment was officially received by the Minister of Primary and… pic.twitter.com/GK3CGoJoek

— Ministry of ICT, Postal & Courier Services - Zim (@MICTPCS_ZW) January 21, 2026

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies formally handed over the equipment to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. During the ceremony, ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the program aims to reduce the digital divide and provide learners across Zimbabwe with access to affordable and reliable internet services.

In a statement published on X, the Ministry of ICT said that “this initiative should strengthen digital learning, improve access to global educational resources, and prepare students to participate competitively in the digital economy.” The ministry added that the project forms part of government efforts to modernize the education sector and promote inclusive access to information and communication technologies.

Zimbabwe already benefits from the GIGA project, a joint initiative of the International Telecommunication Union and UNICEF, which aims to connect all schools worldwide to the internet. According to official data cited by GIGA in March 2025, 3,500 Zimbabwean schools out of a total of 7,000 already have internet connectivity. The ITU committed to working with national authorities to identify the most efficient and cost-effective connectivity solutions for the remaining schools.

While international institutions, including UNESCO, widely recognize the potential of ICT to improve education systems, the use of Starlink’s satellite technology raises several questions. These concerns include the availability of connection devices in schools such as computers, tablets, or smartphones, the digital skills of teachers, access to electricity, the relevance of digital educational content, and the sustainability of the model, given that Starlink operates on a monthly subscription basis.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason A. de BERRY QUENUM