Zimbabwe’s ICT, Postal and Courier Services minister Tatenda Mavetera says the country is ready to step confidently into the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) development.
Mavetera made these remarks as she delivered the keynote address during the launch of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) AI and Innovation Week 2025.
She described the AI and Innovation Week as a national signal of intent and landmark moment in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation journey.
“As a Government, we are committed to ensuring that AI and digital technologies are harnessed responsibly to accelerate Vision 2030, enhance public service delivery, empower our youth, strengthen our industries, and build a competitive digital economy.
“As President Mnangagwa has emphasised, ‘Zimbabwe is at a time when it needs innovative minds … We need disruptive thinkers who are agents for positive transformation and the modernisation of the economy in line with our vision to attain upper middle-income status by 2030’.”
“This Week is precisely for nurturing those thinkers.” Mavetera said.
She added that Zimbabwe had made significant progress in developing digital economy skills.
“Programmes such as the Digital Skills Ambassadors initiative, the 1.5 Million Coders Programme, and the Cyberus Cybersecurity Scheme have empowered thousands of Zimbabweans.
“Building on these achievements, we will soon introduce an Advanced Digital Skills Programme offering training in AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and other disruptive technologies,” Mavetera said.
“This AI and Innovation Week comes at a pivotal time as we advance Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy for 2026–2030, which is directly aligned with Vision 2030, NDS1, and NDS2.
“The strategy focuses on five pillars: 1. AI for Governance and Public Service Delivery 2. Skills, Talent and Workforce Readiness 3. AI for Industry, Innovation and Competitiveness 4. Ethical, Inclusive and Responsible AI 5. Ecosystem Strengthening and Research.”
UNDP Resident Representative, Ayodele Odosula said the AI and Innovation Week demonstrated bold ambition to position the country as a regional leader in responsible, human-centred Artificial Intelligence and innovation-driven development.
“The Week provides a space to: Strengthen government capacity on AI governance, digital public infrastructure, and ethical AI. Showcase local innovators advancing solutions in mining, agriculture, health, environment, and service delivery. Build partnerships across public, private, academic, and development sectors,” he said.
