Zimbabwe set to integrate AI into school curriculum

Zimbabwe is set to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its national school curriculum by 2027 as part of a broader strategy to position the country as a producer of advanced technology rather than merely a consumer.

This was revealed by Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera during the Zimbabwe CEOs Policy Roundtable held in Victoria Falls.

The initiative forms part of the country's newly launched Artificial Intelligence Strategy, unveiled by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

According to Minister Mavetera, Government is working to ensure that AI literacy and skills are embedded into the national education system to prepare young people for future job markets and technological advancements.

"We want to make sure that AI is embedded in our national curriculum starting in 2027," she said.

The AI Strategy is structured around six key pillars, with skills development and education at the centre. Government also plans to roll out AI literacy programmes, skills directories, and mentorship initiatives to build a strong national talent pool.

Minister Mavetera emphasised that workforce development is critical to ensuring Zimbabwe is ready for the AI revolution.

Connectivity and digital infrastructure form the second pillar of the strategy, with Government exploring the development of hyper-scale data centres and strengthening local data hosting capabilities in line with existing laws such as the Cyber and Data Protection Act.

"Connectivity then becomes the railway line for us to be able to adopt artificial intelligence as a country," she noted.

The strategy also seeks to embed AI across key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, and tourism — sectors highlighted under the National Development Strategy 2.

Government aims to leverage AI to enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation across these industries.

Minister Mavetera said the broader goal is to achieve economic sovereignty, promote inclusive development, and preserve Zimbabwean cultural values through the concept of Ubuntu, while remaining globally competitive.

To support implementation, Government has established an inter-ministerial governance structure and is planning a private-sector-led AI institute. The Minister called for strong collaboration between Government and industry to translate the strategy into tangible outcomes.

The rollout will occur in four phases, beginning with foundational infrastructure and policy development, followed by sector adoption through public-private partnerships, ecosystem growth with international collaboration, and continuous monitoring and refinement.

Five flagship programmes will anchor the strategy, including the AI Grand Challenge, Project Pangolin to develop a robust data ecosystem, and a citizen-focused AI education initiative.

While acknowledging the opportunities presented by AI, Minister Mavetera also highlighted emerging risks such as AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes, which could undermine trust if not properly managed.

She further called for a dedicated implementation budget and an AI investment prospectus to guide both public and private sector participation in the country's digital transformation agenda.