Zimbabwe is taking a bold step into the digital age, with digital skills training set to become mandatory for all civil servants as part of a national programme aimed at enhancing technological literacy and innovation across the public sector.
The initiative, which targets training at least 10,000 Government employees each year in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and other key digital competencies, is among the top priorities being discussed at the 2026 National Budget Pre-Seminar currently underway in Bulawayo.
In his presentation, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the programme falls under the Science, Technology, Digitalisation, Innovation, and Human Capital Development cluster, a core component of Zimbabwe’s drive toward a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy.
“Digital skills certification initiatives such as Microsoft, Google and cybersecurity will be mandatory, targeting 10,000 civil servants annually. Government recognises the critical need to address the persistent disconnect between academia and industry. To that end, we will establish formal mechanisms to facilitate structured collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector,” said Prof Ncube.
Zimbabwe has made significant progress in building digital capacity through a series of Government-led programmes and partnerships. Notably, the National ICT Policy (2022–2027) and the SMART Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan both prioritise ICT skills development and capacity building. In addition, the National Coding Initiative aims to train 1.5 million coders by 2028 in key areas such as AI, data science, and programming, a move designed to align the country with global digital transformation trends.
Prof Ncube also underscored the importance of strengthening the intellectual property (IP) framework to encourage innovation and safeguard local inventions.
“To protect and commercialise local innovations, Government will continue to strengthen IP frameworks within academic and research institutions. A robust Public Sector Human Capital Development Policy will also be developed, incorporating a Continuous Professional Development framework,” he said.
The initiative has been widely welcomed by the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU). Its president, Mr David Dzatsunga, said the programme would not only modernise public service delivery but also empower employees.
“The move is commendable since the world we live in today demands that everyone be techno-savvy. Many civil servants never had the opportunity to gain such skills, so this initiative will improve their competence and enhance service delivery,” he said.
As Zimbabwe advances its digital transformation agenda, this ambitious skills training programme is poised to bridge the digital divide, boost efficiency in Government operations, and position the nation as a regional leader in digital innovation by 2030.
