Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
THE Government is moving to accelerate the deployment and commercialisation of locally developed artificial intelligence solutions, with high-potential innovations emerging from the AI for Impact Challenge set to be considered for pilot projects in key sectors.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the Government would work with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing and relevant ministries to identify innovations suitable for implementation in agriculture, health, education and public administration.
She said this at the closing ceremony and awards presentation of the 2026 AI for Impact Challenge Bootcamp held at Tamarind Holiday and Resort Conference Centre in Nyanga, Manicaland, on Friday.
“The national task is to ensure that promising work progresses from demonstration to dependable use. That requires sustained investment in people and institutions,” Minister Mavetera said.
She said the quality of ideas showcased during the challenge demonstrated that Zimbabwe has a growing pool of innovators capable of developing home-grown AI solutions to address national challenges.
“The quality of ideas showcased throughout this Challenge affirms that our young people are not merely consumers of technology, but creators of solutions with the potential to transform industries, improve public service delivery and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.
Minister Mavetera said AI was increasingly becoming critical to productivity, competitiveness and the delivery of public services, with potential applications ranging from agriculture and healthcare to education and public administration.
She said Government will also engage development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to establish sustainable financing mechanisms to support AI innovators from proof of concept through to commercialisation.
“Innovation requires not only brilliant ideas but also patient capital capable of transforming those ideas into successful enterprises,” she said.
Minister Mavetera said Government will strengthen the country’s AI talent pipeline by expanding partnerships between universities, research institutions and industry, while integrating advanced AI training into programmes such as the 1,5 Million Coders Programme.
She said the objective was to position Zimbabwe as a producer of innovative AI solutions rather than merely a consumer of imported technologies.
The Minister said Government will also accelerate responsible AI governance by strengthening ethical standards, cybersecurity, data governance and regulatory frameworks that promote innovation while protecting citizens’ rights.
“Trust must be earned through sound data governance, transparency, explainability, cybersecurity, human oversight and clear accountability,” she said.
Minister Mavetera said the AI for Impact Challenge will become a recurring national innovation platform under the AI Grand Challenge established by the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
The platform will provide innovators with continued opportunities to develop solutions, access mentorship, engage investors and contribute to national development priorities.
She said Government’s approach to AI will focus on solving local problems using local data and ensuring that innovation benefited all sections of society.
“Impact that leaves women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities behind is no impact at all,” Minister Mavetera said.
She said the AI Grand Challenge will have a dedicated track for women-founded start-ups and a prize category for solutions serving persons with disabilities.
Minister Mavetera also said her ministry will establish an AI Startup Unit to assist high-potential ventures with procurement, standards and international partnerships.
“The Government I serve is ready to be your partner, your first customer and your global ambassador,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe’s AI development was anchored in the National AI Strategy for 2026 to 2030, which provides direction on skills, infrastructure, research, governance and cooperation required for the responsible adoption of AI.
Minister Mavetera said the event marked the beginning of a new phase in the country’s AI journey, in which promising ideas must now move towards practical deployment, commercialisation and measurable national impact.
“The true measure of success will not be the number of awards presented today, but the number of innovations that improve lives, create businesses, generate employment and strengthen Zimbabwe’s competitiveness,” she said.
Minister Mavetera urged public institutions, industry, universities, investors and development partners to play their part in ensuring that promising AI innovations progressed from prototypes to sustainable solutions.
“Let today’s awards mark not the end of this journey, but the beginning of a new chapter for Artificial Intelligence in Zimbabwe,” she said.
