Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
A coordinated national framework to harness AI for inclusive development, shared prosperity, and citizen dignity.
Principle
Human-Centric and Ethical AI
Ambition
Inclusive and sustainable AI for Development in Southern Africa
Our Vision
The hub of inclusive and sustainable AI for Development in Southern Africa
Utilizing home-grown innovation to create shared prosperity and elevate citizen dignity.
Human-Centric and Ethical AI
Ubuntu, dignity, and human oversight
Local First
Developmental and context-driven
Transparency and Sovereignty
Clear governance and data control
Safety and Security
Risk management and safeguards
Innovation and Co-Creation
Build with communities and institutions
Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination
Leave no one and no place behind
Availability and Accessibility
Equitable access across the country
Collaboration and Cooperation
National, regional, and global partnerships
The Imperative
Why This Matters
Three core imperatives driving Zimbabwe's AI transformation
Economic Sovereignty
Transition from resource-based to knowledge-based economy, ensuring Zimbabwe controls its technological destiny and captures value from AI innovation.
Cultural Self-Determination
AI that reflects Zimbabwean values, languages, and cultural heritage — ensuring technology serves our unique identity and perspectives.
Resilient Development
Achieve upper middle-income status by 2030 through AI-powered transformation across all sectors of the economy.
Framework
Six Strategic Pillars
Interconnected foundations for Zimbabwe's AI ecosystem
AI Infrastructure and Computational Sovereignty
Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing (ZCHPC), Tier IV-standard data centres, and interoperable national data systems for sovereign compute.
AI Talent and Capacity Development
AI literacy at all education levels, National AI Centres of Excellence, lifelong learning, and diaspora engagement to build world-class talent.
AI Governance, Ethics and Regulatory Framework
Ubuntu-centred ethics, multi-level governance, and accountable delivery through NAIC, AISIO, and Technical Working Groups.
AI Adoption and Service Transformation
Transform agriculture, healthcare, education, mining, finance, public services, and other sectors through phased AI adoption.
AI Research, Development and Innovation
National AI Research Agenda, innovation commercialization pipeline, and global collaboration to advance cutting-edge AI solutions.
AI International Collaboration and Diplomacy
SADC and AU engagement, standard-setting, partnerships, and South-South cooperation
National Missions
Five Flagship Initiatives
Bold national missions driving AI transformation
Zimbabwean AI Grand Challenge
Annual competition solving national priorities in agriculture, health, and climate resilience.
Project “Pangolin/Haka/Inkakha”
National AI and Data Platform with privacy-preserving, accredited access to compute and foundational datasets.
“Nzwisiso.ai” Campaign
AI for Every Zimbabwean — public awareness in local languages with Community Digital Ambassadors.
“Innovation Crucible/Umthombo Wolwazi”
National AI Regulatory Sandbox with temporary regulatory flexibility for monitored testing.
“Mugove/Umqele/Isabelo Fund”
National AI Innovation Fund with co-investment, mentorship, legal aid, and accelerator support.
Roadmap
Implementation Timeline
Three strategic phases to national AI transformation
The Sprint
First 100 days
Establish National AI Council
Launch flagship initiatives
Secure partnerships
The Build
18 months
Build infrastructure
Develop talent pipelines
Launch regulatory sandbox
The Scale
To 2030
Widespread sectoral adoption
Self-sustaining ecosystem
Global thought leadership
Sectors
Priority Sectors
AI-powered transformation across Zimbabwe's key industries
Agriculture & Food Security
Healthcare
Education
Mining
Manufacturing
Financial Services
Energy
Public Services
Tourism & Environment
Defence & Security
At a Glance
Strategy Highlights
2026–2030
Strategy Period
8
Guiding Principles
6
Strategic Pillars
5
Flagship Initiatives
Participate
Get Involved
Join Zimbabwe's AI transformation journey
For Innovators
The strategy identifies the Grand Challenge, the regulatory sandbox, and the innovation fund as intended pathways for innovators.
Review PathwaysFor Researchers
The strategy points to Centres of Excellence, sovereign compute, and national datasets as research enablers.
Review PathwaysFor Businesses
The strategy references joint innovation labs, co-investment, and data-for-development agreements with industry.
Review PathwaysFor Diaspora
The strategy outlines “Come Home to Build,” fractional appointments, and diaspora knowledge networks.
Review PathwaysFor Citizens
The Nzwisiso.ai campaign is designed to build awareness through school programmes, local-language media, and community ambassadors.
Review PathwaysFor Students
The strategy references Digital Mhuri/Umdeni, AI and Society courses, scholarships, and the Skills for a New Zimbabwe platform.
Review Pathways