Zimbabwe to unveil AI investment incentives

Zimbabwe is set to introduce a range of incentives aimed at attracting investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, as Government intensifies efforts to position the country as a regional hub for digital innovation.

Speaking at the third edition of the Evolve ICT Summit in Harare on Thursday, Tatenda Mavetera said Government was finalising measures designed to stimulate investment in the technology sector and accelerate the adoption of AI across the economy.

The incentives form part of a broader digital transformation strategy intended to enhance Zimbabwe's competitiveness in the global digital economy while creating opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

"The President guided us to say that we need to provide incentives for artificial intelligence and very soon we will be able to unpack those," Mavetera said.

She revealed that Government, working closely with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, was developing special economic zones focused on technology-driven enterprises.

"We are glad that the Ministry of Finance has availed special economic zones which are meant to make sure that we have companies that will come and invest in these areas and benefit from various incentives," she said.

The minister said the initiative is aimed at attracting local and international technology firms while creating an enabling environment for innovation and research in advanced digital technologies.

Mavetera stressed that Zimbabwe's ambition extends beyond simply adopting artificial intelligence solutions developed elsewhere.

"We do not need just to be consumers but we need to be producers of our own artificial intelligence. We need localised services and national language models that speak to our own context as Zimbabwe," she said.

She said developing home-grown AI systems and digital solutions would help address local challenges while ensuring that technological advancement reflects Zimbabwe's cultural, linguistic and developmental priorities.

The minister also revealed that Zimbabwe is at an advanced stage of developing governance frameworks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

According to Mavetera, the proposed framework will include ethical guidelines and regulatory standards designed to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and in line with national values.

She added that Government intends to begin training public servants in artificial intelligence to improve understanding and utilisation of emerging technologies within the public sector.

The training programme is expected to support broader efforts to modernise government services, improve efficiency and prepare public institutions for an increasingly digital future.

The announcement comes as countries across Africa and the world race to develop policies and infrastructure capable of supporting the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, which is increasingly being adopted in sectors ranging from healthcare and education to agriculture, finance and public administration.

If successfully implemented, the proposed incentives and technology-focused economic zones could strengthen Zimbabwe's position as an emerging destination for digital investment while encouraging the development of locally driven AI solutions tailored to national needs.