Story by Stanely James
ZIMBABWE has adopted a futuristic Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy aimed at reshaping the county’s technology landscape with emphasis on economic sovereignty, cultural values and inclusive development, the government has announced.
Briefing the media during the post-cabinet press briefing in Harare on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the strategy was evidence of the government’s commitment that no individual or community is left behind in the country’s technological advancement.
The Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030) will be hinged on three key strategic imperatives; transitioning from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy to enhance competitiveness, promoting Zimbabwean cultural values and the philosophy of Unhu/Ubuntu, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence to address challenges and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.
“The development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is in direct response to the need to properly harness the economic benefits and disruptive effects of AI in the era of emerging technologies. The strategy is also a result of the Zimbabwe Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology Report, which Cabinet approved in June 2025.
“The RAM report highlighted the need for a coordinated national approach to AI. Furthermore, the National AI Strategy is firmly aligned with the existing national policies, the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 and Ubuntu citizen-centric philosophies, Smart Zimbabwe and builds upon the foundation of Cyber and Data Protection and the Postal and Telecommunications Act to ensure that the country’s approach to AI is agile and secure.
“The Strategy is a declaration of intent to actively shape the country’s technological future based on three core imperatives namely, economic sovereignty and competitiveness, in order to transition from the resource based economy to a knowledge based one, cultural and social determination to instill Zimbabwean values and the philosophy of unhu/ ubuntu, and inclusive and resilient development where Artificial Intelligence is used to solve challenges and bridge the urban rural divide by leaving no one and no place behind,” Dr Muswere said.
