Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE should harness artificial intelligence (AI), research and innovation to improve efficiency across all sectors of the economy, develop practical home-grown solutions to national challenges and accelerate industrialisation, modernisation and national sovereignty, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President said the strategic deployment of emerging technologies, coupled with research-driven innovation, was key to transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. Zimbabwe took a major step towards shaping its digital future in March this year when President Mnangagwa launched the Zimbabwe National
Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030) at the new Parliament Building in Mount Hampden.
The strategy provides a framework for the responsible adoption and application of AI to drive inclusive national development. It outlines how the country will leverage the technology to boost innovation, improve service delivery and expand economic opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance and public administration.
Speaking at the 14th Zimbabwe International Research Symposium at the Harare International Conference Centre yesterday, President Mnangagwa said research and innovation must be harnessed to create employment opportunities, particularly for young people, while improving the quality of life for citizens.
The symposium brought together participants from primary and secondary schools, universities, polytechnic colleges, teachers’ colleges and Government departments, who showcased a wide range of research projects, innovations and technological solutions designed to support national development.
“Harnessing Artificial Intelligence should enable our economies to improve efficiency and safety in fields such as mining. As Zimbabwe, we are not going back on scaling up the value addition and beneficiation of our vast minerals and natural resources, which must now be transformed into high-value products that create jobs, build industries and strengthen national sovereignty,” said President Mnangagwa.
“With regards to the agricultural sector, research must lead to precision agriculture that increases yields, while protecting the environment and fostering development of agro-processing industries, for both domestic and export markets.”
The President said pharmaceutical research should focus on producing medicines that reduce import dependency while strengthening Zimbabwe’s health systems through predictive healthcare technologies that save lives.
“Furthermore, modern manufacturing platforms should enable us to produce goods competitively and stronger public systems that deliver services efficiently. Above all, artificial intelligence should create new opportunities for our young people,” he said.
“The ICT sector should progressively begin to see our robust platforms for digital trade, e-government and fintech solutions that expand financial inclusion.”
President Mnangagwa also challenged institutions of higher learning to intensify research, innovation and knowledge generation in line with national development priorities.
He urged universities and colleges to continue translating research findings into tangible products and services that directly contribute to economic growth, saying research should move beyond academic theory and provide practical solutions to societal challenges.
“It is with this recognition that my administration adopted Heritage-Based Education 5.0 policy. This has seen our institutions of higher learning being transformed from centres of theory into engines of industrialisation,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President noted that innovation hubs and industrial parks established at universities and colleges were already yielding results through the production of start-ups, patents, industrial solutions and commercially viable products.
“We now have students who think, question, experiment and innovate with boldness as inventors, entrepreneurs and nation builders. Their creativity is being harnessed to produce solutions that are home-grown, practical and uniquely Zimbabwean,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said research should be translated into solutions that change ordinary people’s lives towards the realisation of the country’s goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“I once again challenge you to strengthen collaboration, inspire bold ideas and accelerate the translation of research into life-transforming solutions that improve the quality of life of our people,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Collectively, let us harness artificial intelligence, research and innovation towards the realisation of an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.”
The President said the research is a key catalyst in developing, modernising and industrialising any economy, and that the Second Republic has established policies and an enabling ecosystem aimed at promoting research-driven innovation across all sectors of the economy.
He said the policies seek to accelerate industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation, ensuring that research contributes directly to sustainable economic growth and national development.
“To date, my cabinet has approved the research amendment bill, which will soon be tabled before Parliament. This bill seeks to transform the research authority of Zimbabwe and sets a national target of our Gross Domestic Product for allocation to research and development,” said President Mnangagwa.
“It is opportune that my Government adopted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030) earlier this year. Hence, I am confident that the deployment of new technologies will be appropriately guided by ethical, inclusive and responsible Artificial Intelligence adoption.”
President Mnangagwa also called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to support the adoption and commercialisation of research and innovation outputs across all sectors of the economy.
He further urged African countries to strengthen partnerships in the development of artificial intelligence, saying collaborative efforts were critical to harnessing emerging technologies to drive industrialisation, boost productivity and accelerate sustainable development across the continent.
“Let us imagine a Zimbabwe, SADC and Africa where mining companies partner with Universities to develop Artificial Intelligence-driven exploration and exploitation tools as well as new technologies for increased production and productivity,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Agro-industries should also collaborate with researchers to build climate-smart processing plants and ICT firms should strengthen synergies with innovators to create platforms for e-commerce, improved service delivery and new technologies.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe remains committed to mutually beneficial research partnerships that advance shared prosperity and collective progress.
The symposium was attended by Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Director-General of the East and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) Professor Peter Kiuluku and various Government officials.
President Mnangagwa also presented awards to schools, universities and Government departments that showcased outstanding innovations at the symposium.
