Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
ZIMBABWE is leveraging its young and tech-savvy population to establish itself as a major player in the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence, a Cabinet minister has said.
Speaking at the inaugural Zimpapers Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Conference held at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences in Mutare yesterday, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Ambassador Fredrick Shava said the country was investing in its future to reap the benefits of the projected US$15 trillion AI economy by 2030.
Minister Shava was represented by his ministry’s permanent secretary, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, at the conference which drew a large audience, including high-ranking Government officials, academia, private sector players, high school students and other distinguished dignitaries.
“We gather under a bold vision to position Zimbabwe as an AI-driven knowledge economy. This vision is rooted in our Education 5.0 framework, which guides higher and tertiary education toward an innovation-led future.
“In practice, our universities and colleges must accelerate digitalisation of curricular and campus operations, while deepening linkages with industry.
“We are re-orienting our higher-education system to produce creative problem-solvers and entrepreneurs equipped for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond.
“Through the Education 5.0 Heritage-Based approach, Zimbabwe is finally getting the long awaited innovation thrust it needs. By training a new generation of data scientists, engineers and innovators, our universities are transforming into engine rooms of the knowledge economy. We are seeing on the ground universities introducing Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science into their degree programmes, and creating innovation hubs and research centres devoted to AI and Big Data Analytics.
“Globally, AI’s economic potential is staggering, estimates project a $15.7 trillion contribution to the world economy by 2030. Zimbabwe, with it’s young, tech-savvy population and growing start-up ecosystem, is uniquely positioned to harness this opportunity. As a nation, we are investing in that future now.
“Central to any AI strategy is data. Data is the lifeblood of AI, and so creating rich local datasets is a national priority. We know that without local data, AI models may miss the mark-they can generalise patterns irrelevant to our context. In Zimbabwe, many records still sit on paper or in siloed systems.
‘‘To change that, the Government is accelerating digitisation across sectors.
‘‘The digitisation of Zimpapers archives of newspaper stories, photographs and documents is essential. These archives represent decades of Zimbabwe’s social, economic and political history-treasure trove for AI researchers,” said Minister Shava.
Also addressing the highly subscribed gathering, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the Second Republic, under the guidance of President Mnangagwa, was committed to embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and harness the power of technology to drive economic growth and social progress.
Adv Mugadza said in the context of Vision 2030, AI was not merely an option – but a necessity.
“Vision 2030 calls for accelerated industrialisation, modernised infrastructure, a vibrant digital economy, and improved public services. AI can support all these pillars by enabling intelligent automation, optimizing resource use, and fostering entrepreneurship in emerging digital spaces. From smart agriculture to precision mining, automated public service delivery to predictive data analytics for economic planning – AI holds immense potential to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock new sources of growth across our economic sectors.
“As we gather at the prestigious Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, we are, not only witnessing a milestone in our nation’s technological journey, but also acknowledging the critical role that Artificial Intelligence will play in shaping the future of our Motherland, Zimbabwe.
“As I speak, our country is at the cusp of formulating policies and strategies to adopt and regulate such emerging technologies, and this inaugural Zimpapers conference comes at a pivotal moment, offering a platform for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to converge, and explore the vast potential of Artificial Intelligence. By doing so, we ensure that our nation keeps pace with other countries that are rapidly embracing these technologies to drive innovation, economic growth, and social progress.
“The significance of this conference cannot be overstated. It will provide a unique opportunity for us to address critical issues surrounding new technologies, including the ethics of AI development, data protection, and the impact of automation on employment. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops, we will delve into the complexities of AI, exploring their applications in various sectors, such as healthcare, finance, education, and agriculture,” said Minister Mugadza.
Some of the sponsors and partners on board include NetOne, Dandemutande, TelOne, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Zimbabwe School of Mines, Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing (ZCHPC), Zimbabwe National Defence University, Africa University among others.
