Conakry, Guinea — Zimbabwe’s digital transformation journey reached a historic milestone this week as Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services (ICTPCS), was officially appointed to the prestigious Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council.
This appointment, made under the Smart Africa initiative, cements Zimbabwe’s status as a continental powerhouse in the digital and technological landscape.
The Africa AI Council was formally established by the Smart Africa Board, a high-level body chaired by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda. The Board is a formidable assembly of 42 African Heads of State, alongside global leaders from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Union.
The Council’s mission is clear: to ensure Africa is a creator and leader in the global AI race, rather than a mere consumer. By focusing on digital sovereignty, the Council aims to harness AI to drive socio-economic growth across the continent.
Why Hon. Mavetera? Zimbabwe’s Strategic Edge
Minister Mavetera’s selection among only seven ICT Ministers on the continent is no coincidence. It is a direct result of Zimbabwe’s proactive policy environment under the Second Republic.
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National AI Strategy: In November 2025, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s Cabinet approved the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This framework makes Zimbabwe one of the few African nations with a clear roadmap for ethical AI governance and deployment.
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Merit-Based Selection: The appointment followed a grueling selection process by Smart Africa, the AUC, and the ITU. Hon. Mavetera emerged as a top choice from over 400 global applicants, representing a victory for Zimbabwean expertise.
The Six Pillars of the Africa AI Council
As a member of the Council, Hon. Mavetera will provide strategic guidance across six critical thematic areas designed to transform the African economy:
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Infrastructure: Building the computing power necessary for AI.
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Data: Ensuring high-quality, locally relevant datasets.
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Market: Creating a unified African market for AI solutions.
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Talent: Developing the next generation of African AI experts.
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Investment: Attracting capital to African tech startups.
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Governance: Establishing ethical guidelines for AI use.
Zimbabwe is already a recognized leader within the Smart Africa framework, specifically heading the Agritech portfolio. President Mnangagwa’s launch of the Smart Africa Continental Agritech Blueprint has set the standard for using technology to ensure food security and climate resilience.
With Hon. Mavetera on the AI Council, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to integrate AI into agriculture, ensuring that small-scale farmers and large-scale enterprises alike benefit from precision farming and automated data analysis.
This appointment is a validation of Zimbabwe’s “Open for Business” mantra applied to the digital world. It ensures that Zimbabwe’s voice—and the interests of its innovators—are heard at the highest levels of continental policy-making.
As Africa charts its path toward a tech-driven future, Zimbabwe is not just participating; we are leading the way.
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