Zimbabwe to launch national AI policy by October to boost digital sovereignty

With a draft AI strategy completed, Zimbabwe will unveil a policy supporting AI-driven growth, local data storage and widespread connectivity by October.
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Zimbabwe’s Information and Communication Technology Minister, Tendai Mavetera, revealed the second draft of the National AI Policy during the AI Summit for Africa 2025 in Victoria Falls, hosted by Alpha Media Holdings and AIIA.

Though the policy was not formalised during the summit, Mavetera stated it is expected to be launched by 1 October 2025 at the new Parliament building, with presidential presence anticipated.

The strategy is designed to foster an Africa where AI serves humanity, ensuring connectivity in every village, education access for every child, and opportunity for every young person.

Core features include data sovereignty and secure data storage, with institutions like TelOne expected to host localised solutions, moving away from past practices of storing data abroad.

Speakers at the summit underscored AI’s role in economic and social transformation rather than job displacement; Africa’s investment in AI surpassed US$200 billion in 2024.

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