Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE has launched a state-of-the-art supercomputer capable of processing electronic health records, capturing satellite data, and aiding in mineral exploration.
This milestone reflects the country’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies in line with global trends and President Mnangagwa’s vision for a technologically-driven future.
The supercomputer, housed at the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing (ZCHPC) in Harare, is set to revolutionise sectors such as healthcare, mining, urban planning, and environmental management.
It aligns with the Government’s push to integrate cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, cloud computing, robotics, and virtual reality into national development strategies.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, said the ZCHPC plays a pivotal role in driving innovation.
“Since the commissioning of its first High-Performance Computing (HPC) Centre in 2015, the ZCHPC has expanded significantly. The second phase, installed in 2024, incorporates High-Performance Computing Cloud and Data Centre services, enabling e-governance solutions such as electronic health records, smart policing, and satellite data processing.”
Through Electronic Health Records (EHR), the system enables seamless sharing of patient medical histories across healthcare providers, improving accessibility, reducing costs, and enhancing the quality of care for Zimbabweans.
In satellite data processing, the supercomputer supports weather forecasting, urban mapping, and environmental monitoring, providing critical data for -making.
With its ability to process vast amounts of data, the supercomputer is already playing a pivotal role in mining and mineral exploration, a key sector for Zimbabwe’s economy.
Already, plans are underway to implement a smart traffic management system to improve road safety and efficiency, particularly in urban areas.
The supercomputer has facilitated the creation of a detailed, localised map of Zimbabwe, marking social amenities such as schools, clinics, police stations, boreholes, and even chiefs’ homesteads. This map, hosted within the ZCHPC, serves as a more tailored alternative to global platforms like Google Maps.
Also, the supercomputer assists the Ministry of Environment in mapping wetlands and supports local governments in physical planning and development.
The ZCHPC operates an incubation hub to mentor young innovators and collaborates with universities under the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, fostering homegrown solutions to national challenges.
The Co-ordinator of the Zimbabwe National Geo-Spatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA), Dr Painos Gweme, said the supercomputer is a powerful tool for tracking and planning.
“We have developed a landmarked map of Zimbabwe, which includes schools, clinics, police stations, and even specific areas of interest like chiefs’ homesteads. This map, hosted within the ZCHPC, is a powerful tool for tracking and planning,” said Dr Gweme.
The supercomputer is expected to contribute to sectors such as defence and security, bioinformatics, human genome research, and disease detection and prevention.
It’s deployment underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development and innovation.
The new supercomputer represents a significant leap forward for Zimbabwe, positioning the country as a regional leader in technological innovation.
By addressing critical challenges in healthcare, mining, urban planning, and beyond, this advanced system is set to drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Zimbabweans.
