Zimbabwe Greenlights National AI Strategy to Drive Economic Transformation

In a significant move to position itself for the future, the Zimbabwean Cabinet has officially approved a comprehensive National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy for the period of 2026–2030. The strategy is designed to harness the economic potential of AI while proactively managing its societal impacts, aligning with the country's broader digital and development goals.

The government announced that the strategy was developed with input from local experts, academic institutions, and international partners, including UNESCO. While the full official document has not yet been released to the public, officials have outlined the core pillars and ambitions of the five-year plan.

A Framework for a Smarter Future
The National AI Strategy is built on several key pillars aimed at building a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem. According to the announced principles, the government will focus on:

Developing AI Talent: Integrating AI education into school and university curricula to equip the next generation with critical skills for the modern job market.

Establishing National AI Infrastructure: Investing in local data centers and high-speed connectivity to achieve "computational sovereignty," ensuring data security and reliable access, even in rural areas.

Transforming Key Sectors: Actively promoting the adoption of AI in vital services such as healthcare, for faster diagnostics; agriculture, for improved crop yields; and education.

Ensuring Ethical Governance: Creating a robust regulatory framework to ensure AI is used ethically, protecting citizens' privacy and rights, and preventing misuse.

Fostering Innovation: Encouraging research, development, and home-grown AI solutions through innovation hubs and competitions.

Strengthening International Collaboration: Partnering with other African nations and global bodies to share knowledge and best practices.

Tangible Benefits for Citizens
The government emphasizes that the strategy is fundamentally human-centric, intended to deliver tangible improvements in the daily lives of Zimbabweans.

"For the student, this means new skills and better job prospects. For the farmer, it means AI-driven advice on planting and weather. For our rural communities, it promises greater access to services through improved technology," a statement from the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services outlined. "Our goal is to ensure that the benefits of AI are not confined to large corporations but are leveraged to empower every citizen."

Path to Implementation and Challenges Ahead
The rollout of the strategy is set to begin with public awareness campaigns and pilot projects to test AI solutions in controlled, real-world environments. A dedicated office is expected to be established to oversee the implementation across the various pillars.

Officials acknowledge existing challenges, including gaps in internet connectivity and funding limitations, but stated that the strategy explicitly addresses these hurdles to ensure an equitable distribution of AI's benefits.

The full PDF of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030) is expected to be made available in the coming months through official government channels, such as the Ministry of ICT's website or the national policy portals.