Zimbabwe launches AI and Innovation Week

By Enia Dube

Zimbabwe has officially launched the UNDP AI and Innovation Week 2025 today at the HICC, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward building a modern, technology-driven economy.

The Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda A. Mavetera, led the ceremony, officially opening the Week and describing it as “more than an event,” but a bold national declaration that Zimbabwe is ready to embrace AI, frontier technologies, and innovation-led development.

“The Week, running under the theme Building an AI-Powered Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Growth, aligns with Vision 2030’s ambition of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income, knowledge-based economy.

AI is central to accelerating national development, enhancing service delivery, and boosting economic competitiveness across key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and health,” said Minister Mavetera.

She also highlighted AI’s potential to equip the youth with critical digital skills, create new industries, strengthen export competitiveness, and stimulate innovation-driven enterprises.

“The strong partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe, UNDP Zimbabwe, and the UNDP Digital, AI & Innovation Hub positions Zimbabwe as a regional leader in responsible AI adoption,” the Minister stated.

This year’s Week will feature the MineTech Innovation Challenge and the Lithium Value Chain Hackathon, platforms designed to allow young innovators to develop solutions for real industry challenges. Exhibitions showcasing the creativity of startups and student innovators will also run throughout the event.

The Week will conclude with the AI and Innovation Awards Ceremony, where outstanding teams will receive a combined US$40,000 in prizes from the Government, UNDP, and CBZ.

“The importance of channeling youth innovation toward national development cannot be overstated. Skills in AI, data science, IoT, robotics, and software engineering will define Zimbabwe’s future industries,” Minister Mavetera added.