Years of hard work pay off as Zim set to benefit from technology transfer from Iran

Leonard Sengere Avatar

They say when one door closes, ‘tis foolish to mope around, begging for it to be opened. I’m not sure that’s exactly how it goes, but it’s close enough.

That means when the door to the West was closed, or half-closed, Zimbabwe looked East. In a moment of defiance, signaling our refusal to only beg for seek collaboration with the West, we gave our resistance a name: the “Look-East Policy.”

We don’t talk about it often enough, but there have been some benefits to looking East. Though we were overcharged, we have the Chinese to thank for Hwange Units 7 and 8.

The Iranians have been trade partners to offset the precipitous fall of our other exports. Of course, every course has its challenges, as this headline from a few years ago demonstrates: Zimbabwean exports to Iran fall from $4.8m to $1,000 in a year.

That was but a speed hump. We might be on course to get back on track. The headline today reads: Iran begins tech transfer to Zim.

The coveted Iranian tech is within grasp

Iran has initiated the transfer of technology to Zimbabwe, focusing on science and technology cooperation as part of the 12 Memoranda of Understanding signed during a State visit last year.

Said outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Abbas Navazani:

We are working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe. We are exchanging delegations and we are working very closely in transferring technology to Zimbabwe.

You gotta love hearing that. However, I know that some might be wondering what tech Iran has on hand to even transfer. I’m glad you asked.

I’m guessing we know about Iran’s military ambitions. We know that Iran has some nuclear experience, including well-documented nuclear weapons research.

Unfortunately, that whole debacle reminds us of the greatest cyberattack at the state level in history—Stuxnet. This worm took aim at Iran’s nuclear facilities.

So, disregarding weaponizing nuclear, we could benefit from regular old nuclear energy expertise.

I mean, we have crippling electricity shortages and would massively benefit from that knowledge. South Africa has two nuclear reactors producing 5% of its electricity. That could be us too, if the Iranians come through.

Even beyond nuclear, Iran is just more technologically advanced than Zimbabwe. Of course, Iran is not the most technologically developed nation on earth, but this analogy should help:

Zimbabwe is on foot and looking to benefit from Iran’s bicycle tech. There are countries with automobiles out there, but we would do well to get the bike tech if that’s the only thing on the table.

Context on Iran’s tech

Contrary to the myth that Iran’s technology sector is mainly military-focused, it has a robust civilian technology landscape excelling in biotechnology, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. Or so says the American Iranian Council.

They say Iran is making strides in biotechnology, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and AI, with notable achievements like producing 95% of its medications domestically and ranking fourth globally in nanotechnology by 2020.

Zimbabweans would likely be most interested in renewable energy, biotechnology, and possibly AI. So, please Iran, open the floodgates and let the tech pour in.

In what will sound familiar to Zimbabweans—and what probably brought the two unlikely allies together—sanctions have severely impacted Iran’s technology sector, leading to a brain drain and reduced foreign investment, while the government’s low R&D spending (0.83% of GDP in 2019) further hinders growth.

While Zimbabweans can debate the impact of sanctions on their economy, the Iranians are under no illusion. But sanctions aside, we both know what brain drain, reduced foreign investment, and low R&D spending look like.

However, I hope we all see how we actually could gain from Iran’s technological transfer—if we actually get useful information and tech, that is. I may have been sarcastic a little but we really stand to gain something.

These transfers have a reputation for sounding good only on paper. We shall see how this one is implemented.

9 comments

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  1. Anonymous

    Iran out of all countries! I just shake my head.

    1. Leonard Sengere

      I mean if even Zambia is sick of our crap, we only have the likes of Iran to tango with.

  2. The Last Don

    The same guys who stuttered for decades with DeadBC digitalization? There are times when we need to look the gift horse in the mouth just in case rine mavende or no teeth at all! Getting help from such pariah states has dastardly consequences as there won’t be back ups due to their being on sanctions. Anyway such deals are for personal enrichment of the government officials as they won’t be scrutinised by the world but they close better avenues. China with its technological know how is feeling the heat because of the sanctions on chips. Imagine the consequences of trying to get help from Cde Kim. You will be doomed from day one.
    As authorities in ICT do you ever engage with the powers that be and advise them accordingly? Musaite sema business people edu who tout every RBZ or Finance ministry interventions no matter how bad only to come back and cry in financial statements. Tell a spade a spade!
    There’s no joy in drinking from the Islamic state’s poisoned chalice

  3. Africa Tech Company

    solutions to 3rd world countries needs technological advancement. we have resources but the platinum and the gadgets which are produced in western world from our resources.
    we have to invest, invent and make Africa Great

    This is a big topic

  4. Dr Wangu Mazodze

    I did not get the the tech transfer we are getting your article lacks detail.

  5. Huncho

    Type yeTech iyi inoda nyika yakarongeka.

  6. Anonymous

    No tech can fix broke,we dont have money its like getting a factory with no raw materials

  7. Robert Ndlovu

    What are we getting exactly.

  8. Disappointed Reader

    Read like an article straight out of Herald.

    Does TechZim still have an editorial team ?

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