Zimbabwe launches National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

The Strategy is a blueprint designed to guide the responsible use of artificial intelligence to accelerate inclusive national development. It outlines how the country will harness artificial intelligence to strengthen innovation, improve service delivery and expand economic opportunities across key sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, finance and public administration.

Launching the Strategy at Parliament in Harare, President Mnangagwa described artificial intelligence as a transformative force reshaping economies and societies worldwide, emphasizing the need for Zimbabwe to position itself in the evolving technological landscape of the fourth industrial revolution. “The Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy will undoubtedly ignite a new chapter in our country’s ongoing development trajectory,” the president noted, adding that “we must embrace emerging technologies to unlock AI-driven opportunities that will propel modernization, industrialization and sustainable economic growth.”

Earlier, in her remarks, the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, asserted that “the strategy provides a framework for strengthening national digital infrastructure, building AI talent and skills, promoting research and innovation.” She concluded that the Strategy “establishes governance and regulatory mechanisms to ensure that AI systems are transparent, ethical and aligned with national development priorities.”

UNESCO’s Support

Development of the Strategy was supported by UNESCO and experts from its Network of AI Ethics Experts without Borders, working closely the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe, which mobilized a broad range of national stakeholders from academia, private sector, civil society and youth, to participate in a series of national consultations that resulted in the final output. 

The process began with the development of Zimbabwe’s Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) report in 2025, anchored on UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, developed and implemented by UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector. The RAM report promotes a human-centered approach to AI that protects human rights, fairness and transparency, all of which are key elements that were eventually reflected in Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy.

The support of UNESCO to Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy was possible thanks to the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation via the project entitled “Advance Ethical AI Governance Through Civil Society Networks, Policy Frameworks, and Knowledge Resources”, whose partnership with UNESCO has been pivotal in positioning ethics at the heart of AI governance.

Advancing AI governance in Southern Africa

Regionally, UNESCO continues to support Member States in Southern Africa to strengthen readiness for artificial intelligence uptake through its AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), translating recommendations into national strategies and policies. Beyond Zimbabwe, the diagnostic tool has been used to support Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, culminating in the development of national AI readiness assessment reports, with some already finalized, and others underway. 

Looking ahead

As Zimbabwe moves from strategy to implementation, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is expected to guide investments in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and AI talent development.

It aims to ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence reach communities across the country, supporting improved services, economic growth and opportunities for all citizens, both rural and urban, and across socio-economic divides. In congratulating Zimbabwe on this milestone, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon, noted that “the UN stands ready to continue supporting Zimbabwe in implementing this strategy as the country takes its rightful place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” 

On his part, speaking after the launch, Abdul Rahman Lamin, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector at UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, observed that “Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy does not only represent an important step in ensuring AI development is human-centered and ethical, but it is also forward looking.” 

Moving forward, with strong national leadership and continued international collaboration, successful implementation of Zimbabwe’s AI Strategy will ensure a digital future that is secure and truly inclusive of all Zimbabweans, “leaving no one and no place behind” as the UN Resident Coordinator, Kallon, concluded.

READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/zimbabwe-launches-national-artificial-intelligence-strategy?hub=701