Story by Ian Zvoma, News Editor
MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA-Zimbabwe is working towards establishing a conducive legislative framework that will allow the country to keep pace with global developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Zimbabwe was represented by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who confirmed that the agenda of digital transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in sync with Zimbabwe’s development goals.
“We have established some collaborations with various universities in Zimbabwe, especially the University of Zimbabwe, in terms of trying to come up with appropriate legislation that will be used to regulate the use of AI, and the university is prepared to assist in that direction. On the technical side of application of AI, we have signed an MOU with Bindura University of Science Education,” he said.
Another key issue is the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We have a problem discussing issues. The implementation aspect is lacking. I think as parliamentarians, we need to be action-oriented so that whatever we discuss is implemented. You talk of the free trade area ecosystem between African countries, but very little has been done, for example, to change our immigration and customs law so that there is free movement of goods and services between African countries,” Advocate Mudenda said.
The two-day Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments hosted by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) ended in Midrand, South Africa, this Tuesday.
The Conference, which is one of the major highlights on the PAP annual calendar, was held under the theme: Transforming Parliaments for Citizen-Driven continental integration, Sustainable Development, Prosperity, Peace, and Africa’s Role on the Global Stage.
