The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says the AI and Innovation Week 2025, scheduled for 24–28 November 2025, aims to position Zimbabwe as a regional leader in responsible, human centred AI adoption.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Challa Getachew told a press conference on Friday that this will accelerate technology-driven development while supporting national priorities under NDS1, NDS2, Vision 2030, and the upcoming National AI Strategy (2026–2030).
“UNDP Zimbabwe is honoured to officially announce an ambitious national platform jointly convened with the Government of Zimbabwe and supported by leading partners across academia, the private sector, innovation hubs, and development agencies,” Getachew said.
“This year’s theme - \'Building an AI-Powered Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Growth”—captures our collective vision to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a catalyst for economic transformation, service delivery, and human development in Zimbabwe.”
According to Getachew, the AI & Innovation Week provides a national platform for economic transformation, unlocking productivity, efficiencies, and new AI-driven business models, and improved government service delivery through modernisation of public systems, enhanced data use, and automation.
It will also focus on youth empowerment: equipping young innovators, students, and MSMEs with real opportunities to build, innovate, and scale.
“Under industrialisation and value addition, we will be showcasing how AI can support mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and trade,” Getachew said.
“This event convenes a diverse ecosystem: government ministries, regulators, academia, private sector, youth innovators, development partners, and regional experts.”
He added that a major feature of this year’s programme would be the UNDP AI Sprint.
“The AI Sprint provides structured capacity-building in AI tools for programme design and monitoring, data-driven decision-making and analytics, practical automation for operational efficiency, and responsible AI frameworks aligned with global standards,” Getachew said.
Zimbabwe is one of the first countries in Africa to be selected for the UNDP AI Sprint global initiative. During the AI and Innovation week, we will be hosting two officials from the New York UNDP Chief Digital Office who will be facilitating some of the sessions - reflecting UNDP’s commitment to supporting government-led digital transformation.
The Sprint also contributes to the foundations of Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy, ensuring alignment with public service needs and development priorities.
