AI and Cybersecurity skills for civil servants

The Government of Zimbabwe is set to make digital skills training mandatory for all civil servants, with at least 10 000 public employees expected to receive training each year in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data management as part of a national digital transformation drive.

The initiative, presented during the 2026 National Budget Pre-Seminar in Bulawayo, falls under the Science, Technology, Digitalisation, Innovation and Human Capital Development cluster - one of the Government's top reform priorities for the coming fiscal year.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the digital training programme will equip public sector workers with essential 21st-century skills and bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world technological needs.

"Digital skills certification initiatives such as Microsoft, Google and cybersecurity will be mandatory, targeting 10 000 civil servants annually," Prof Ncube said.
"Government recognises the critical need to address the persistent disconnect between academia and industry. Priority will be on establishing structured collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector."

The training forms part of Zimbabwe's broader vision to become a knowledge-driven, middle-income economy by 2030, anchored on policies such as the National ICT Policy (2022–2027) and the SMART Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan.

Over the past few years, Government has launched ambitious programmes, including a national plan to train 1.5 million coders by 2028, focusing on AI, programming, and data science.

Prof Ncube said the State will also continue strengthening intellectual property (IP) frameworks to protect and commercialise local innovations.

"To protect and commercialise local innovations, Government will strengthen IP frameworks within academic and research institutions. Outlays will support research and development, while a Public Sector Human Capital Development Policy incorporating Continuous Professional Development (CPD) will be developed," he said.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions president David Dzatsunga welcomed the move, describing it as "forward-thinking and empowering."

"The world we are living in today requires one to be techno-savvy," Dzatsunga said.
"Most workers did not have the chance to gain these skills, so this will improve the efficiency and lives of civil servants while enhancing Government service delivery."

The initiative is expected to position the public service as a digitally competent workforce, capable of leveraging AI and emerging technologies to improve governance, efficiency, and transparency across all sectors.