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

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.