Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN universities are stepping up as vital contributors to the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring that the nation keeps pace with global developments.
Through innovative research, strategic partnerships and focused training programmes, the country’s institutions of higher learning are playing a crucial role in embracing AI and fostering its growth.
This emerged during the 57th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), which ended on Thursday in Victoria Falls where institutions that include Bindura University of Science Education (Buse), Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), had an opportunity to update the region on advancing parliamentary processes through academic collaboration on AI.
The presentations revealed how the tertiary institutions are positioning themselves as key players in harnessing AI for national development.
Director of the Bindura University of Science Education (Buse) Centre for AI Research, Professor Ronald Manhibi said a recent survey conducted by the university revealed a glaring skills gap in Zimbabwe’s parliamentary staff, with 85 percent of respondents admitting to having only basic or no knowledge of AI.
“AI adoption will stall unless MPs, committee clerks and support staff can confidently interpret, question and oversee AI tools. A unified Parliamentary AI Capacity-Building Programme is the quickest and highest-impact win for SADC legislatures,” he said.
He said Buse has already taken proactive steps by collaborating with the Parliament of Zimbabwe on practical AI solutions, including automated Hansard translation, legislative tracking and AI-powered chatbots for citizen engagement.
Executive Director of ICT at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Dr Shakemore Chinofunga said there is a need for a Whole-of-SADC Approach, which is CUT’s vision for regional integration.
He said this approach positions AI as the backbone of regional modernisation.
Aligning with SADC’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), the plan advocates for AI integration across e-government, smart agriculture and public administration.
“AI and data analytics form the DNA of the fourth industrial revolution. To prevent brain drain, we must create local AI programmes that retain talent and solve African challenges—whether in agriculture, health or legislative processes,” said Dr Chinofunga.
He said their strategy highlights the need for AI literacy across disciplines, not just computer science, ensuring that future leaders in law, media and public administration are fluent in emerging technologies.
While AI offers immense opportunities, its risks cannot be ignored.
This was said by Dr Tarisai Mutangi of the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), who emphasised the importance of ethical regulation to safeguard democracy and human rights.
He cited global examples — from the European Union’s AI Act to Brazil’s risk-based governance model- arguing that SADC parliaments must craft policies that balance innovation with accountability.
“AI should serve democracy, not weaken it. Regulation must address transparency, bias and data privacy while fostering innovation,” said Dr Mutangi.
He said UZ is poised to support this effort through training programmes for MPs, AI policy drafting and independent evaluations of AI systems to ensure fairness and safety.
The university also proposed hosting Parliamentary Tech Fellows, young experts who can help legislatures test and deploy AI tools effectively.
Buse’s Professor Manhibi said they have a vision for society-wide AI literacy, starting with teacher training and integrating robotics into school curricula.
“We need to urgently cultivate an African Expression of AI, one that reflects our cultures, values and regional challenges,” he said.
Early initiatives like hackathons, coding clubs and low-cost device programmes aim to democratise access to AI education.
The speakers reaffirmed their commitment saying they are not just observers of the AI revolution but its architects.
By fostering innovation, advocating for ethical governance and bridging the skills gap, these institutions are ensuring that Zimbabwe and the broader SADC region can harness AI for inclusive growth.
—@nyeve14
