Zimbabwe Strengthens Continental Digital Influence with Minister Mavetera’s Appointment to Africa AI Council

Zimbabwe’s digital ambitions have received a significant boost with the appointment of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera to the newly established Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council. The high-level body was created under the Smart Africa initiative to advance AI governance, innovation, and responsible deployment across the continent.

The Africa AI Council was formally constituted on January 5, 2026, in Conakry, Guinea. Chaired by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who also leads the Smart Africa Board, the council brings together 42 African leaders, the African Union Commissioner for Energy and Infrastructure, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), senior private sector executives, and development partners.

Minister Mavetera is one of seven ICT ministers appointed to the 15-member council, reflecting Zimbabwe’s growing influence in continental digital policy circles. Her appointment follows the Cabinet’s approval of Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in November 2025, placing the country among a select group of African nations with a government-backed framework guiding the ethical development, deployment, and governance of AI.

The council is mandated to provide strategic and actionable recommendations across six pillars: Infrastructure, Data, Market, Talent, Investment, and Governance. These pillars aim to ensure AI is responsibly applied and delivers measurable benefits to African economies and societies.

“Our board mandated us to ensure that Africa leads, not follows, in the global AI transformation,” said Smart Africa director-general and CEO Lacina Koné. “With the establishment of the Africa AI Council, we take a decisive step toward shaping an AI-driven future rooted in African values, responsive to African challenges and designed to unlock African potential.”

Zimbabwe has emerged as a leader in digital innovation, particularly in agriculture. Under President Mnangagwa, the country has applied digital solutions to agriculture, food security, and climate resilience. Zimbabwe also spearheaded the Smart Africa Continental Agritech Blueprint, now recognised as a flagship initiative that positions agriculture as a priority sector for AI-driven transformation.

Minister Mavetera’s appointment signals confidence in Zimbabwe’s technology-driven development agenda and strengthens the country’s voice in shaping continental AI policy. With its inclusion on the Africa AI Council, Zimbabwe is set to play a central role in guiding Africa’s AI transformation while leveraging technology for economic growth and societal impact.