Online ReporterMukudzei Chingwere, Zimpapers Reporter
CABINET has approved the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026 to 2030), marking a key step in the Government’s commitment to harness the economic potential of artificial intelligence while minimising risks and ensuring that it works in implementing national policies.
The announcement was made by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
The National AI Strategy is designed to integrate seamlessly with the country’s Information Communication Technology Architecture and aligns with the National Information Communication Technology Policy.
This strategy comes in response to the Zimbabwe Artificial Intelligence readiness assessment methodology report, endorsed by Cabinet in June this year.
That report stressed a pressing need for a unified national approach toward AI.
The strategy aims not only to capitalise on the transformative effects of AI but also to ensure that Zimbabwe transitions from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven one, with a focus on fostering economic sovereignty, instilling local values and philosophies such as Unhu/Ubuntu, while promoting inclusive development that addresses the urban-rural divide.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026 to 2030) as a component of the Information Communication Technology Architecture and the National Information Communication Technology Policy,” said Dr Muswere.
“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”.
That report highlighted the need for a co-ordinated national approach to AI, with the minister adding that the National AI Strategy is firmly aligned with existing national policies, such as the Heritage-Based Education 5.0, Ubuntu citizen-centric philosophies and Smart Zimbabwe.
It also builds upon the foundation of the Cyber and Data Protection Act and the Postal and Telecommunications Act, to ensure that the country’s approach to AI is both 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 instil 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,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy will be anchored on six pillars: artificial intelligence talent and capacity development, national artificial intelligence infrastructure and computational sovereignty, artificial intelligence AI adoption and service transformation, governance, ethics and regulatory framework, research, development and innovation and the strategic international collaboration and diplomacy.
To facilitate the swift implementation of this strategy, five flagship projects have been proposed.
These include the Zimbabwe Artificial Grand Challenge, a national competition aimed at encouraging innovation; the National AI and Data Platform, designed to provide vital resources for researchers; and the “Nzwisiso” National Literacy Campaign to inform citizens about AI’s benefits and risks.
Additionally, a National Artificial Regulatory Sandbox will offer a controlled environment for testing new AI applications, while the National AI Innovation Fund will support startups and research initiatives.
