*“The Future Will Favour The Determined ” As Zimbabwe Pushes Inclusive AI & Digital Skills Agenda* – *Mavetera*

*By Ross Moyo*
Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Hon. Tatenda Mavetera told delegates at the Evolve ICT Summit 2026 that Zimbabwe’s digital transformation must be measured by human impact, not just machines and code.

Speaking at Harare International Conference Center (HICC), Harare today under the theme “Empowering Africa’s Digital Leap: Innovation, Inclusion and Transformation”, Mavetera said technology must serve the farmer in Chiredzi needing market prices, the graduate in Binga locked out by geography, and the manufacturer in Mutare chasing regional markets. “Technology’s value lies in how it improves human lives, and this should guide our policies and innovations,” she said.

The Minister framed the moment as historic. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution underway, AI is reshaping industries, data is now a strategic resource, and digital platforms are redefining trade and governance. Quoting President Mnangagwa, she reminded the room: “The digital economy is a present imperative. Zimbabwe must shape its role in this revolution.”

Mavetera linked all digital work to Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy. Broadband expansion, modernised regulation, and strengthened data centres are already delivering results. But she was blunt about gaps: poor connectivity, unreliable electricity, and high costs still exclude many Zimbabweans. “Inclusion is essential and should be central to our digital strategy,” she said.

On AI, Zimbabwe is refusing to be a consumer only. The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is being shaped around African realities. Mavetera cited Professor Calestous Juma: Africa must be a knowledge producer, not outsource its future. The cross-sectoral plan targets agriculture with AI for smallholder farmers, healthcare with AI diagnostics, education with adaptive learning for rural students, and public administration with AI for efficiency.

She also tackled fears around job loss and bias. “AI reflects the values of those who build it,” Mavetera noted, quoting Nkusi Uwera. Zimbabwe’s approach will embed human dignity, broad participation, and shared prosperity into algorithms and policy.

Child safety and skills dominated the second half of her address. The newly approved Child Online Safety Policy recognises that children are digital natives. But government cannot do it alone. Tech firms must design safer products, schools must teach digital literacy, and parents need tools to guide online use. On skills, she flagged the 1.5 Million Coders Programme, Digital Skills Ambassadors, and Cyberus for cybersecurity as the national bet to make coding as basic as literacy by 2030. “Everybody should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think,” she said, quoting Steve Jobs.

Mavetera closed with a call to action rooted in “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”. Government will enable policy, private sector must invest and create jobs, academia must produce research, and startups must solve local problems. With a median age of 19 and a tech park in development, she said Zimbabwe is ready. “Africa’s digital leap is both a significant challenge and an opportunity for this generation… The future will favour the determined. Zimbabwe is ready. Africa is ready. Together, we will build the future we deserve.”
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