Zimbabwe’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved the country’s first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2026 to 2030, marking a major step in its digital transformation journey, according to officials.
The strategy aims to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to drive economic growth, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and ensure data sovereignty while addressing emerging risks through responsible governance.
It is set to become a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to integrate digital technologies into national development.
Information Communication Technology Minister Tatenda A. Mavetera confirmed the Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday, describing it as a strong signal of the government’s top-level commitment to embedding AI across sectors.
“We are surely building an inclusive, digitally empowered future for all Zimbabweans,” she said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter.
The strategy was developed through a broad consultative process involving government ministries and departments, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, and regulatory bodies including the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
International organizations such as UNESCO, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) also contributed, alongside academia, the private sector, and civil society.
Zimbabwe joins a growing list of African countries working to define national approaches to artificial intelligence amid rapid global advancements in machine learning, automation, and big data.
The strategy is expected to provide a framework for ethical AI development, skills training, research collaboration, and innovation-driven policy.
The government emphasized that youth and students from various academic institutions participated in the drafting process, helping to ensure the strategy reflects the needs and aspirations of future generations.
Officials say implementation will begin in early 2026, with further details to be announced in coming months.
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Bantu Gazette
