Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing technological innovation, emphasising its goal of transforming Zimbabwe from a passive consumer of technology into a creator and global competitor.
Speaking at the launch of an artificial intelligence (AI) programme by a local telecommunications company in Harare, yesterday, the Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, said Government is actively putting in place the regulatory, ethical and infrastructural frameworks needed to nurture innovation.
“The future of AI in Zimbabwe relies on our people, engineers, data scientists and young innovators. By utilising our high literacy rate and the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 framework, we are creating a strong AI talent ecosystem that fosters innovation and adapts to change. The success of our AI transformation hinges on the quality and inclusivity of this talent base,” she said.
Minister Mavetera added that the Government is prioritising AI governance, ethics and regulation to build a pan-African model that safeguards human rights, enhances public trust and positions Zimbabwe as a leader in responsible AI governance.
“We are pushing AI research, development and innovation. Our goal is to establish Zimbabwe as a hub for advanced AI research, promoting scientific discovery and local innovation. By enhancing both fundamental and applied research, we seek to shift from technology consumers to producers of competitive AI solutions,” she noted.
She also stressed the importance of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors in driving national technological progress.
“While we develop enabling policy frameworks and strategic blueprints aligned to the National Development Strategy, we require the ingenuity, innovation and investment of the private sector to make it a reality. As Government, we are committed to creating a conducive environment that fuels innovation, growth and creativity through supportive policies, sound regulatory guardrails and continued investment in digital infrastructure,” she said.
