Online Reporter
Dr Evans Sagomba
Everything AI
For many Zimbabweans, the phrase sounds like something distant, belonging to Silicon Valley or the laboratories of China.
Yet, tucked inside our own National AI Strategy, some pages speak directly to us, to our everyday lives, and to the choices our Government must make if this technology is to serve the people rather than overwhelm them.
Pages 36 to 38 of the strategy focus on what are called: “cross-cutting enablers.” That phrase may sound heavy, but in truth, it simply means the foundations that must be in place for AI to work fairly, safely, and inclusively in Zimbabwe.
Let us walk through these ideas together, stripping away the jargon and showing how they matter to ordinary citizens.
At the heart of these enablers is the recognition that AI is not just about machines crunching data. It is about people, values, and trust. The strategy insists that Zimbabwe must build an AI system rooted in hunhu/ubuntu—the idea that: “I am because we are.”
This is not a slogan. It is a reminder that technology must serve communities, not replace them.
If AI is to diagnose diseases, predict droughts, or help schoolchildren learn, it must do so in ways that respect our dignity, protect our privacy, and reflect our culture.
Without that, AI risks becoming another imported tool that speaks in foreign languages, ignores local realities, and leaves rural families behind.
One of the most important enablers is governance. The document proposes a multi-level system of oversight, stretching from local councils to national bodies, and even linking to regional and international platforms.
Imagine a village in Chakohwa where farmers use AI-powered apps to predict rainfall. Who ensures that the data collected is not misused?
Who guarantees that the advice given is accurate and not manipulated by outside companies? The strategy suggests community-level councils, national agencies, and parliamentary committees working together to keep AI accountable.
This is ambitious, but it is also necessary. Without strong governance, AI could easily become a tool of exploitation rather than empowerment.
Ethics is another pillar. The strategy calls for an “Ubuntu-centred” ethical framework.
In simple terms, this means AI must be fair, transparent, and respectful of human rights.
For example, if an AI system is used to decide who qualifies for a loan, it must not discriminate against women, rural dwellers, or people living with disabilities.
Bias in AI is a real danger. If the data fed into the system reflects old prejudices, the machine will reproduce them.
Zimbabwe’s plan is to require bias testing, accessibility standards, and gender equality measures.
This is not abstract theory. It is about making sure that when AI enters our banks, hospitals, and schools, it does not deepen inequality but instead helps to close the gaps.
Data sovereignty is another enabler. Think of data as the new gold.
Every time we use mobile money, visit a clinic, or send a child to school, data is generated.
If this data is stored in foreign servers, controlled by companies outside Zimbabwe, then our sovereignty is at risk.
The strategy insists that Zimbabwe must build its own secure data centres, powered by renewable energy, and governed by strong laws. This way, our information remains ours.
It can be used to train AI systems that understand Shona, Ndebele, and other local languages, rather than systems that only respond to English or Chinese.
Data sovereignty is about ensuring that our stories, our health records, and our cultural heritage are not sold off to the highest bidder.
Environmental sustainability also features strongly. AI systems consume huge amounts of energy. If Zimbabwe is to embrace AI, it must do so in a way that does not worsen climate change. The strategy proposes “green AI governance,” requiring environmental impact assessments for large-scale deployments. This means that before a new AI-powered data centre is built, its carbon footprint must be measured, and renewable energy sources must be prioritised. For a country already facing droughts and erratic rainfall, this is not a luxury. It is survival. AI must help us fight climate change, not add to the problem.
Public trust is another enabler.
Technology cannot succeed if people fear it or do not understand it.
The strategy calls for public education campaigns, grievance mechanisms, and transparent reporting. Imagine a parent in Mutare whose child’s school introduces AI-based learning tools. That parent must be able to ask questions, raise concerns, and receive clear answers. Trust is built when citizens feel included, not excluded.
The Government promises to involve communities in decision-making, to explain how AI works, and to provide channels for complaints.
This is vital. Without trust, even the best technology will fail.
Cultural preservation is also highlighted. AI must not erode our traditions. Instead, it should help digitise and protect them. The strategy talks about cultural impact assessments, ensuring that AI strengthens rather than weakens social cohesion.
For example, AI could be used to record oral histories, translate indigenous knowledge into digital formats, and make local languages more visible online. This is about ensuring that as Zimbabwe modernises, it does not lose its soul.
Finally, the strategy outlines an implementation roadmap. It is not enough to have good ideas; they must be put into practice.
The plan is phased: first building institutions and laws, then rolling out frameworks, and finally optimising and leading at regional and global levels.
By 2030, Zimbabwe hopes to be recognised internationally as a model for responsible AI governance. This is ambitious, but it signals intent.
Zimbabwe does not want to be a passive consumer of foreign technologies. It wants to shape the future, to be a voice for ethical AI in Africa and beyond.
So, what does all this mean for ordinary Zimbabweans? It means that when you hear about AI, you should not think only of robots or distant laboratories. Think of the clinic in your area that could use AI to detect diseases earlier.
Think of the farmer who could receive accurate weather predictions. Think of the student who could access personalised learning. Think of the bank that could offer fairer loans. AI is not magic, but it is powerful. And if guided by strong governance, ethics, and respect for our culture, it can be a tool of empowerment.
But there are risks. If governance fails, AI could be misused. If ethics are ignored, AI could discriminate. If data sovereignty is lost, our information could be exploited. If sustainability is neglected, AI could worsen climate change. If trust is broken, citizens could reject technology altogether. The cross-cutting enablers are therefore not optional. They are the guardrails that keep AI on the right path.
Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy is bold. It speaks of sovereignty, inclusivity, and innovation.
Yet its success will depend on whether these enablers are implemented with discipline and transparency. Ordinary citizens must be part of the journey. AI cannot be left to experts alone. It must be explained, debated, and shaped by the people it is meant to serve.
As we move towards 2030, the challenge is clear. Will AI in Zimbabwe be a tool of empowerment, rooted in hunhu/ubuntu, or will it become another imported system that deepens inequality? The answer lies in how seriously we take these cross-cutting enablers.
They are not just pages in a strategy document. They are the foundations of our digital future. And that future must be built by us, for us, and with us.
About the Author:
Dr Evans Sagomba is a Doctor of Philosophy and Chartered Marketer (CMktr, FCIM) with an MPhil and PhD in Philosophy. He specialises in AI, Ethics, and Policy Research, and is an AI Governance and Policy Consultant. Master’s and PhD supervisor. AI Ethics and Governance Lecturer. [email protected] Social media handles; LinkedIn; @ Dr. Evans Sagomba (MSc Marketing) (FCIM)(MPhil) (PhD)
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