UNESCO Backs Zimbabwe’s Development of National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The collaboration represents a key milestone in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda and reflects growing continental momentum toward responsible and inclusive AI governance.
Zimbabwe has secured crucial international support from UNESCO for the development of its first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, following high-level talks between Dr. Beaullar Chirume, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services , and UNESCO Director-General, Her Excellency Audrey Azoulay.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the COP15 Conference in Victoria Falls, builds on earlier engagements at the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Bangkok. UNESCO pledged both financial and technical assistance to support Zimbabwe’s AI strategy development process.
Dr. Chirume confirmed that a draft strategy is near completion, with the first national consultative meeting involving local AI experts scheduled for early August 2025. A broader public consultation process will follow to ensure inclusive citizen participation.
“UNESCO’s support will be instrumental in enabling inclusive national dialogue around AI and ensuring that Zimbabwe develops a context-relevant and ethically sound strategy.”
– Dr. Beaullar Chirume, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Zimbabwe.
Her Excellency Audrey Azoulay commended Zimbabwe’s proactive steps and reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting the full strategy development cycle. The final strategy will incorporate diverse perspectives gathered through a nationwide UNESCO-supported outreach programme.
The collaboration represents a key milestone in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda and reflects growing continental momentum toward responsible and inclusive AI governance.
