National AI Strategy 2026 2030

Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2026-2030 — Verbatim Transcription

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Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy

2026 – 2030

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Acknowledgements

The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services (MICTPCS), led by the Honourable Minister Tatenda A. Mavetera, Honourable Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, Permanent Secretary Dr. Beaullah Chirume, and Chief Director Mr. Prince Sibanda, wishes to express its profound gratitude to the diverse array of stakeholders whose invaluable contributions shaped this strategy. This document is a product of a truly national effort, enriched by the insights from the Office of the President and Cabinet, government ministries, academia, the private sector, civil society, diaspora representatives and development partners. The Ministry extends special appreciation to those who developed the Kadoma Draft and to the participants of the National Multi-Stakeholder Consultation held in Harare on 28 August 2025, Bulawayo and Masvingo on 9 and 11 September 2025 respectively whose rigorous interrogation and validation of the Kadoma Draft provided the critical refinements contained in this final version. The Ministry acknowledges the technical and financial support provided by the Ministry staff, and POTRAZ.

The Ministry further extends its sincere appreciation to the United Nations in Zimbabwe for its invaluable technical and financial support throughout the process. We would like to specifically highlight UNESCO’s leadership in this regard through the assistance to Zimbabwe in conducting Artificial Intelligence readiness assessment, resulting in an AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) report, which identified the development of a national AI strategy as a major recommendation. UNESCO’s AI RAM report for Zimbabwe was therefore pivotal in triggering and facilitating the series of national expert consultations in Kadoma, Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo culminating in the development and finalization of this strategy.

The Ministry also would like to recognise in particular the dedicated work of our national AI experts, with drafting core team members, Honourable Commissioner Dr. Eng. Martin Muduva (ZHRC), Professor Tawanda Mushiri (SIRDC), Dr. Tendai Zengeni (AU), Mrs. Loveness Ngwanga (MICTPCS/AG) and Eng. Leonard Jukwa (MICTPCS). Special mention also goes to our lead rapporteurs, Dr. N. Kwangwa (WUA), Dr. Gilford Hapanyengwi (ZIMCHE), Prof. Sam Takavarasha Jnr, Prof. Ronald Manhibi (BUSE) and Dr. Panashe Chiurunge (AU Chief AI Scientist). This strategy is a product of collective commitment to securing Zimbabwe’s prosperous and sovereign digital future.

Design and layout: Marike Strydom, Jade Rose Graphic Design

Cover: © stock.adobe.com

Contents

Foreword: From the President, His Excellency CDE, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa  02

Foreword: From the Hon Minister, Hon. Tatenda A. Mavetera 03

Foreword: From the Hon Deputy Minister, Hon. Dingumuzi Phuti 04

Foreword: From the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Beaullah Chirume  05

Acronyms 06

Executive Summary  08

Introduction 09

Situational Analysis: Zimbabwe’s AI Readiness  12

Vision and guiding principles  17

Strategic Pillars: The Six Foundations of Zimbabwe’s AI Transformation  19

Flagship Initiatives: Igniting the National AI Mission  40

Implementation and governance  42

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework  48

Appendices 56

01

Foreword

From the President, His Excellency CDE, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

We stand at the dawn of a new era, a time of unprecedented technological advancement that will reshape our world, where the 21st century is defined by the rapid pace of technological change and at its heart lies in Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is not merely a technological shift; it is a fundamental reordering of our societies and economies and for Zimbabwe, a nation defined by its unwavering spirit of innovation, this is a moment of profound opportunity. It is with immense pride that I introduce this National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Republic of Zimbabwe, a document that is not merely a policy framework but a bold declaration of our intent to actively shape the future, to harness the powerful currents of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to secure our rightful place as a leader in technological innovation on the African continent and beyond. Our vision is clear: to establish Zimbabwe as a beacon of "AI for Development" in Southern Africa, with this strategy firmly anchored in our philosophy of 'Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo'/'Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo' – a nation is built by its own citizens and rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu, recognizing our shared humanity and our interconnectedness. Our strategy is not about importing foreign solutions; it is about cultivating our own, building an AI that understands our values, speaks our own languages and addresses our unique challenges, leaving no one and no place behind. We will leverage AI to modernize our agriculture, unlock the full potential of our mineral wealth, deliver quality healthcare to the most remote corners of our nation and provide a world-class education for every Zimbabwean child, building a future where AI is a tool of empowerment and a catalyst for inclusive growth and a guardian of our cultural values and ethics. We approach this new frontier with great responsibility, to adopt and deploy this strategy ethically, with a steadfast commitment to human dignity, privacy and security. This strategy is therefore a call to action, a call to our most innovative entrepreneurs, our most dedicated public servants and our most ambitious young people, a call to every Zimbabwean to join us in this national endeavour where Government will provide the enabling environment and strategic direction, but the true engine of this transformation will be the creativity and hard work of the Zimbabwean people, including in particular in particular academia and the private sector. Together, we will build a future where Zimbabwe is not just a participant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond but a leader. May God bless Zimbabwe.

02

Foreword

From the Hon Minister, Hon. Tatenda A. Mavetera

As we stand on the brink of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Zimbabwe’s pursuit of Vision 2030 requires us to rise with courage, foresight, and conviction to shape the future rather than be shaped by it. Artificial Intelligence is not just another wave of innovation; it is the very foundation of tomorrow’s sovereignty, competitiveness, and resilience. It is the decisive frontier where nations either will lead or trail behind. This National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030) demonstrates Zimbabwe’s intention to be a bold innovator by integrating AI into agriculture, mining, health, education, climate resilience, and governance, while safeguarding our heritage, protecting our data, and upholding Ubuntu-based ethics that affirm the dignity of every citizen. It is a national pledge that affirms that the country will not be passive consumers of imported technologies, but creators of context-driven solutions that reflect our identity and aspirations. If executed with discipline, unity of purpose, and strategic vision, this strategy will transform Zimbabwe into the continental hub of “AI for Development,” a nation where home grown ingenuity converges with global excellence to create prosperity for 2030 and beyond.

03

Foreword

From the Hon Deputy Minister, Hon. Dingumuzi Phuti

The launch of Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is more than a policy milestone but a bold call to action that recognises AI as the defining force capable of unlocking inclusive development, citizen empowerment and regional leadership. This strategy reminds the nation that AI is not only about algorithms, data, or machines, but among others reimagining education for every learner, empowering smallholder farmers with predictive tools, delivering healthcare to remote communities with precision, enhancing transparency in governance and creating new industries that secure dignified work for our youth. What makes this strategy uniquely Zimbabwean is its commitment to inclusivity, cultural preservation and digital equity, ensuring that women, youth, rural populations and persons with disabilities are not on the margins of this digital revolution but at its centre. Rooted in our indigenous knowledge systems yet outward looking, the strategy aligns Zimbabwe with the African Union’s AI Agenda and positions us as a collaborative leader in SADC and beyond. It is a statement that Zimbabwe will not only participate in global AI governance but also help shape it, advancing a fair, ethical and development-driven AI ecosystem for Africa and the world.

04

Foreword

From the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Beaullah Chirume

The Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030) is a visionary yet pragmatic framework that reaffirms our commitment to build a sovereign, ethical and inclusive digital future. It is not simply a policy document but a commitment to the people of Zimbabwe to harness AI responsibly as a tool for empowerment, national resilience and shared prosperity. AI carries both extraordinary promise and profound risks; it can strengthen livelihoods, transform service delivery and diversify our economy, but unmanaged it can entrench dependency, inequality and digital colonialism. Guided by this awareness, our strategy is the product of an inclusive, consultative process that engaged academia, industry, civil society, government and international partners, making it both locally grounded and globally relevant. Its implementation will be driven by accountability, adaptability and foresight, underpinned by institutions such as the National AI Council, the AI Strategy Implementation Office and Technical Working Groups, which will ensure rigorous monitoring, transparent reporting and continuous improvement. The strategy envisions a Zimbabwe where AI is not just an abstract concept but a lived reality powering farms and clinics, schools and factories, homes and government systems, a trusted enabler of sovereignty, innovation and prosperity that elevates every citizen.

05

Acronyms

AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area

AI Artificial Intelligence

AI4D AI for Development

AISIO AI Strategy Implementation Office

API Application Programming Interface

AU African Union

CZI Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries

ECD Early Childhood Development

GDP Gross Domestic Product

HIT Harare Institute of Technology

HPC High-Performance Computing

ICT Information and Communication Technologies

IMF International Monetary Fund

IoT Internet of Things

IP Intellectual Property

IT Information Technology

ITU International Telecommunication Union

KPI Key Performance Indicator

LLM Large Language Model

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MCAZ Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe

ML Machine Learning

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MSU Midlands State University

NAIC National AI Council

NAIS National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

NDS1 National Development Strategy 1

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NUST National University of Science and Technology

06

POTRAZ Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe

PPP Public-Private Partnership

PUE Power Usage Effectiveness

Q1 Quarter 1

Q2 Quarter 2

Q3 Quarter 3

Q4 Quarter 4

R&D Research and Development

RBZ Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

SADC Southern African Development Community

SAZ Standards Association of Zimbabwe

SIRDC Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre

SME Small and Medium Enterprises

SOP Standard Operating Procedures

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

TWG Technical Working Group

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

USA United States of America

USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data

UZ University of Zimbabwe

VC Venture Capital

ZBC Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation

ZCHPC Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing

ZIMSTAT Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency

ZNCC Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce

07

Executive Summary

The Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy (2026–2030) presents a bold, coordinated framework to harness AI as a driver of inclusive growth, innovation and national sovereignty, aligned with Vision 2030, the National Development Strategies (NDS1 & NDS2) and the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy. It positions AI as a transformative force to propel Zimbabwe from a resource-dependent economy to a competitive, knowledge-driven nation, ensuring the country shapes, rather than being shaped by, emerging technologies while embedding local values, protecting cultural heritage and addressing national priorities in economic diversification in key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining, health, education, tourism as well as building climate resilience among others. The strategy is anchored on four interconnected pillars: AI Talent and Capacity Development to cultivate a skilled, innovative workforce through AI literacy, research hubs, sector-specific academies and diaspora engagement; National AI Infrastructure and Computational Sovereignty to establish high-performance computing, sovereign data platforms, world-class data centres and secure inclusive connectivity; AI Adoption and Service Transformation to drive sector-wide adoption, improve service delivery, optimise industries and enhance citizen experiences while ensuring equitable access; and Governance, Ethics and Regulatory Framework to implement an Ubuntu-based, multi-level governance system with robust legislation, ethical safeguards and leadership in responsible AI. To accelerate momentum, five flagship initiatives namely; the Zimbabwean AI Grand Challenge, the National AI and Data Platform (Project “Pangolin”), the “Nzwisiso.ai” national literacy campaign, an AI Regulatory Sandbox (“Innovation Crucible”) and the National AI Innovation Fund (“Mugove/Isabelo” Fund) will be rolled out, supported by cross-cutting themes such as digital equity, cultural preservation, adaptive governance, environmental sustainability and sectoral integration. Implementation will follow three phases: Foundation Building (2025–2026), Scaling Core Applications (2027–2028) and Ecosystem Maturation and Leadership (2029–2030), with governance led by the National AI Council and AI Strategy Implementation Office, supported by technical working groups and inclusive stakeholder engagement. A key determinant of success will be AI’s capacity to enhance efficiency in industrial and economic processes, thereby improving productivity and competitiveness across sectors. Success will be measured through AI literacy rates, infrastructure capacity, economic gains, sectoral adoption metrics, public trust and international competitiveness, ultimately positioning Zimbabwe as the heart of inclusive and sustainable “AI for Development” in Southern Africa, igniting home grown innovation, safeguarding sovereignty and ensuring AI uplifts every Zimbabwean.

08

Introduction

The confluence of data, computational power and algorithmic innovation has given rise to Artificial Intelligence (AI), a technological force for socio-economic transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines to learn intellectual processes and characteristics of humans, such as, reasoning, discovering meaning, generalising or learning from past experience1. This is not merely another technological cycle but a fundamental reordering of our world. The Republic of Zimbabwe must therefore take its place in this transformation. This National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030) serves as the national compass in embracing AI to achieve Vision 2030 and targets beyond.

The Imperative for a National AI Strategy: Charting Zimbabwe’s Future

1 https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence

09