Zimbabwe Charts AI Future with National Strategy Under Review

Zimbabwe is drafting a national AI strategy to drive economic transformation, strengthen public services, and position the country as a regional leader in ethical and innovative artificial intelligence (image source)

HARARE – Zimbabwe is laying the groundwork for a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy aimed at transforming public services, agriculture, and industrial productivity, according to officials from the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services.

The initiative, still in its consultation phase, seeks to position Zimbabwe as a regional hub for ethical and inclusive AI development. The strategy will focus on data governance, digital infrastructure, AI skills development, and regulatory frameworks to guide responsible innovation. “AI is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity for national competitiveness,” said ICT Minister Dr. Tatenda Mavetera during a recent stakeholder forum in Harare.

The government is working with universities, tech startups, and international partners to map out use cases for AI in Zimbabwe’s context. Priority sectors include precision agriculture, health diagnostics, financial inclusion, and e-governance. Zimbabwe’s AI roadmap is expected to align with the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, which envisions a digitally enabled economy driven by innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Ministry has also hinted at plans to establish an AI Innovation Fund to support local developers and researchers. “We must build indigenous capacity to create solutions that reflect our realities,” said Dr. Mavetera.

Experts say Zimbabwe’s AI push could help leapfrog infrastructure gaps and improve service delivery. For example, AI-powered crop monitoring could boost yields in rural areas, while chatbots and predictive analytics could streamline public service access.

However, challenges remain. Zimbabwe faces a shortage of skilled AI professionals, limited computing infrastructure, and fragmented data ecosystems. The government has pledged to invest in AI labs at tertiary institutions and promote coding in schools. “We need to democratize AI education,” said tech entrepreneur Nyasha Makoni. “It shouldn’t be confined to elite institutions.”

The AI strategy is expected to be tabled before Cabinet in early 2026 with implementation beginning later that year. Civil society groups have called for transparency and safeguards to prevent algorithmic bias and data misuse. “AI must serve people, not replace them,” said digital rights advocate Rudo Gwatidzo.

Zimbabwe joins a growing list of African nations developing AI policies, including Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda. The African Union has also launched a continental AI framework to guide member states.