Story by Margaret Matibiri
Victoria Falls – THE 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held in Victoria Falls concluded with a resounding call for the region to urgently develop legislation and policies that govern the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Held under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities,” the high-level symposium brought together Speakers of Parliament, legislators from 13 SADC Member States, government officials and AI experts drawn from some of Zimbabwe’s leading universities.
Speaking at the official opening of the symposium, President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum and Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Honourable Justin Tokley, said regional parliaments must take the lead in ensuring the safe and inclusive use of AI technologies.
He warned that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is no longer a future concept, but a current reality that cannot be ignored.
“Parliaments must cajole SADC nations to tap into the nascent opportunities conferred by AI whilst tackling the challenges through a rule-based framework,” Honourable Tokley said.
He cited the European Parliament’s adoption of a harmonised AI regulation as an example that SADC could emulate in its legislative development. His remarks set the tone for the discussions that followed, where participants examined both the opportunities and potential threats posed by rapid technological advancements.
Adding to the conversation, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, said governments across the region must prioritise legislation that enables AI innovation while protecting public interests.
She emphasised the need to build infrastructure, mobilise resources, and promote ethical AI development that serves all citizens equitably.
“We must mobilise domestic resources, build infrastructure and support regional innovation hubs to ensure AI serves our citizens’ best interests,” said said.
The symposium also featured expert presentations from tertiary institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Midlands State University, Bindura University of Science Education and the Harare Institute of Technology.
The universities showcased locally developed AI tools that could be tailored to streamline parliamentary operations and legislative drafting. Academic experts underscored the importance of deeper collaboration between parliaments and higher education institutions in building home-grown solutions that align with regional needs.
Country reports presented during the forum revealed that several SADC parliaments have already begun adopting AI technologies in their work, including drafting legislation, analysing data, and facilitating virtual public hearings.
However, participants noted that more still needs to be done to ensure AI adoption is inclusive, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure is limited.
Delegates agreed that parliaments must take a proactive role in ensuring equitable access to technology, especially for marginalised communities.
This includes investing in training and capacity-building for legislators and parliamentary staff to ensure they are equipped to use AI effectively and responsibly. The safety, security, and ethical implications of AI must also be prioritised in any new laws or policies developed.
The Forum was further encouraged to finalise the Draft Model Law on Artificial Intelligence, which will serve as a guiding instrument for national parliaments developing their own legislation on AI.
There was also strong support for initiating a consultative process to create a regional regulatory framework that would promote rights-based, responsible use of AI across SADC Member States.
In his closing remarks President of the SADC PF, Honourable Tokley expressed appreciation to the Government and Parliament of Zimbabwe for hosting the session, and to all participating delegations for their valuable contributions.
He said the outcomes of the symposium had set a strong foundation for guiding future regional efforts in digital governance and innovation.
“The AI juggernaut is inexorably moving forward, and the SADC region cannot afford to be left behind in this revolution,” he said.
The resolutions adopted during the 57th Plenary Assembly are expected to steer legislative and policy discourse on AI across the region while ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies reach all citizens, without leaving anyone behind.
