Zimbabwe will launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grand Challenge within the next month as part of a new national strategy aimed at driving innovation, building local capacity, and positioning the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera  announced on Tuesday during the Post-Cabinet Briefing in Harare.

She said the initiative is expected to open opportunities for startups and innovators to develop solutions aligned with national priorities and economic needs.

“This first initiative will allow various startups to come in with applications and developments around the AI strategy,” Mavetera said.

The programme comes as countries around the world ramp up investment in AI to accelerate economic growth, improve efficiency, and modernise public services, with Zimbabwe seeking to harness its own talent for inclusive development.

“Our AI strategy is premised on six pillars,” Mavetera said.

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One of the key pillars focuses on strengthening AI infrastructure, including expanding computing capacity and improving access to critical technologies such as graphics processing units (GPUs), which are essential for developing advanced AI systems.

“We need to advance our digital infrastructure, work on our GPU capacity, and also improve access to our computing facilities,” she said.

Another pillar centres on skills development, with the government building on existing programmes designed to equip citizens with digital and AI-related competencies. Authorities say these initiatives will help unlock local talent and ensure broad participation in the digital economy.

“We have a number of programmes, including the 1.5 million programme and the Digital Ambassadors Programme, to make sure that we train our citizens in AI skills,” Mavetera said.

The strategy also prioritises AI collaboration and diplomacy, with Zimbabwe seeking to partner with countries that have made significant advances in the field in order to accelerate knowledge transfer and capacity building.

“That pillar is going to strengthen our capacity as a country by fostering collaborations and working together with other countries that have already made significant progress in AI development,” she said.

Mavetera said the government aims to develop ethical and locally relevant AI systems that reflect Zimbabwe’s values and socio-economic context while remaining globally competitive.

“We need to learn from AI-first countries and come up with our own ethical guidance to make sure that the AI we develop is locally made and reflects our own characteristics,” she said.

Governance is another cornerstone of the strategy, aimed at ensuring Zimbabwe transitions from being primarily a consumer of AI technologies to becoming a producer and innovator in the sector.

“This is going to ensure that we are not only consumers but also producers of AI,” Mavetera said.

The AI Grand Challenge is expected to complement these pillars by providing a platform for practical innovation, helping to translate policy into tangible outcomes while fostering inclusive growth and strengthening Zimbabwe’s position in the evolving global AI landscape.

A Johannesburg court has ordered the immediate deportation of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe after convicting him of firearm and immigration offences.

He was fined R600,000, with the option of prison time if he fails to pay, and will be sent back to Zimbabwe.

His cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

More details to follow.

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has issued a strong warning to the public over a fake recruitment advert circulating on social media, urging citizens to rely only on official communication channels.

ZNA Public Relations Director, Hlengiweni Dube, said the fraudulent advert was designed to mislead and scam unsuspecting members of the public.

“The Zimbabwe National Army would like to inform members of the public to be on the lookout for a fake ZNA recruitment advert circulating on social media platforms,” said Dube.

“The advert was created by fraudsters to mislead and scam unsuspecting people. The fake recruitment advert was flighted by some mischief-makers who are circulating it to mislead and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.”

Dube made it clear that the army has not announced any recruitment for general duty soldiers in 2026.

“The organisation has not flighted any general duty soldiers’ recruitment advert for 2026,” he said.

He further emphasised that the ZNA does not use social media platforms for recruitment purposes.

“The ZNA does not use social media platforms for the purpose of recruitment. The organisation uses formal communication channels such as electronic and print media,” Dube said.

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The army also warned that it does not work with third parties or charge any fees during the recruitment process.

“Members of the public are once again advised that the ZNA does not engage third parties for recruitment, nor do they charge a fee on applicants,” he said.

Dube added that anyone falsely presenting themselves as a recruitment agent would face legal consequences.

“Anyone caught associating themselves with recruiting in the ZNA will be prosecuted,” he said.

Members of the public have been urged to report suspicious individuals immediately.

“Should anyone come across any suspicious characters masquerading as Army recruitment agents, they should immediately call the Military Police hotline numbers: 0712842318 and 0772258410. They must also report to the nearest Zimbabwe Republic Police station or any nearest military camp,” Dube said.