By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
Zimbabwe
is set to launch its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a move expected
to position the country among a growing number of African nations establishing
policy frameworks to guide the development and use of artificial intelligence.
The
strategy is scheduled to be officially launched by President Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa, marking Zimbabwe as the 17th country on the continent to introduce a
national strategy focused on artificial intelligence.
The
initiative was developed through a collaborative process led by the Ministry of
ICT, with contributions from experts drawn from government, industry and civil
society.
Among
the experts involved in drafting the strategy is Tendai Masunda Zengeni, an
optical communications expert and Regional Director of Women in STEM Africa,
who served as one of four core drafters of the document.
According
to Zengeni, the strategy underwent validation by a wide range of stakeholders
across various sectors to ensure it reflects national priorities and aligns
with the country’s long-term development goals.
National
AI strategies are increasingly being adopted by governments across Africa as
part of broader efforts to harness artificial intelligence to drive innovation,
economic growth and digital transformation.
