LIVE: AI Summit for Africa kicks off in Victoria Falls

Good day!

The resort city of Victoria Falls is playing host to the International Forum on Responsible AI and Opportunities for Collaboration (IFROC) 2025, which officially opens this Monday at Elephant Hills Hotel.

Running from 17 to 20 August, the high-level summit is being held under the theme “AI-Powered Transformation: Unlocking New Frontiers for Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth.”

Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera is expected to officially open the conference, which has drawn delegates from across Africa and beyond.

Key Focus Areas

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) for socio-economic development in the African context

• AI policy and strategy development

• The impact of AI on jobs in Africa

• Using AI to drive transformation in education, healthcare, and agriculture

• AI and cybersecurity

• Building AI solutions through data science

• AI for business growth, cost reduction, efficiency, and improved customer experience

• Transforming business and operating models with AI

• Preserving African languages, culture, and ethics in the age of AI

Areas of Discussion

• Public Sector

• ICT

• Banking

• Insurance

• Tourism and Hospitality

• Academia

• Research Institutions

• Retail

• Health

• Energy

• Media

• Agriculture

• Mining

• Manufacturing

• Sports and Arts

• Development Agencies

• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

• Labour Unions

Stay with us as our reporter Rutendo Nyeve gives you live updates from Victoria Falls.

Minister Mavetera to Open AI Summit for Africa 2025 in Victoria Falls

THE AI Summit for Africa 2025 kicks off today, with the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera set to officially open the event.

Being held under the theme: “AI-Powered Transformation: Unlocking New Frontiers for Sustainable Social-Economic Growth,” the summit brings together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across the continent.

The summit which kicks off today will run up to Wednesday.

The summit features a packed agenda with insightful discussions and keynote addresses.

Notable speakers include Mr O Kgengwenyane, who will delve into harnessing AI for Africa’s leapfrog development, and Dr L

Erastus, focusing on building Africa’s AI and data infrastructure.
Panel discussions will tackle critical topics such as balancing innovation with regulation, AI’s role in financial inclusion, and the future of work in Africa’s emerging economies.

The summit will also highlight AI’s impact on sectors like agriculture, education, and telecommunications, with contributions from experts such as Prof Arthur Mutambara and Ms R Gorerokufa.

As Africa positions itself at the forefront of AI-driven growth, the summit seeks to shape the continent’s digital future.

Zimbabwe finalises National AI Strategy, set for October unveiling

The Government has finalised its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, which will be unveiled this October, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.

This was revealed by the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, during her keynote address at the official opening of the Artificial Intelligence for Africa Summit held in Victoria Falls on Monday.

Held under the theme: “AI-Powered Transformation: Unlocking New Frontiers for Sustainable Social-Economic Growth,” the summit brought together Government officials, industry leaders, academics and innovators from across the region to discuss how AI can be harnessed to drive inclusive growth, economic sovereignty and resilient development.

Minister Mavetera said the summit was not just another meeting but a transformative platform to ensure Africa’s unified presence in the global AI landscape.

In her speech, Minister Mavetera outlined tangible efforts being made by Zimbabwe to build the pillars of AI.

“The country has established a High-Performance Computing Centre with a 559 Peta-Flops capacity, recently expanded under Phase 2 inaugurated by President Mnangagwa.

“To support data storage, Zimbabwe is upgrading its National Data Centre to a Tier 4 level, while the National Enterprise Architecture Model is being finalised to streamline data collection, sorting and retrieval,” she said.

Skills development is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s AI strategy, and the Government has launched the 1.5 Million Coders Program to train citizens nationwide in AI and digital skills.

Additionally, Minister Mavetera said an AI training programme targeting senior Government officials is underway to ensure policymakers understand the technology’s implications.

The Digital Skills Ambassadors Program will soon train young people from all provinces, ensuring no one is left behind.

“Infrastructure development is also a priority, with plans to deploy more 5G base stations, expand fibre coverage, and enhance satellite capacity, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology.

“These efforts align with Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030, leveraging AI to empower farmers, healthcare workers and educators,” she said.

Minister Mavetera highlighted the importance of cultural and social self-determination in AI development, noting that foreign-built AI systems may not understand local languages like Shona, Ndebele or Tonga, or the complexities of Zimbabwe’s societal fabric.

“AI is a mirror that reflects the values of its creators,” she said, emphasising the need for home-grown solutions.

She also addressed concerns about job displacement, urging a shift in narrative.

“AI should not mean job losses, it should mean job transformation,” she said.

She called for reskilling initiatives to prepare workers for emerging roles in AI development, data science and digital agriculture.

Minister Mavetera painted a vivid picture of AI’s potential, comparing it to the mighty Zambezi River.

“Artificial Intelligence is like the mighty Zambezi River. It begins as a small stream of ideas, but with the right conditions, it grows into an unstoppable current, cutting through barriers and reshaping the land forever,” she said.

She stressed that Africa’s moment had arrived, and Zimbabwe was determined to leverage AI for leapfrog development.

“Africa’s strength lies in unity. We must speak with one voice in Artificial Intelligence, declaring our commitment to participate, innovate and own our future,” she said.

With the National AI Strategy set for unveiling in October, Zimbabwe is poised to lead in harnessing AI for sustainable and inclusive development.