UNESCO Endorses Zimbabwe's Plan for a Domestic Artificial Intelligence Framework
Zimbabwe and UNESCO Collaborate on National AI Strategy for Inclusive Development
Zimbabwe is currently developing its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, with UNESCO playing a key collaborative role in this effort. The government of Zimbabwe is working closely with UNESCO to formulate a national AI strategy aimed at fostering innovation and supporting young researchers, particularly those engaged in documenting regional history and integrating such knowledge into school curricula.
This collaboration was affirmed during UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay's official visit to Zimbabwe in July 2025, where she and President Mnangagwa agreed to launch these initiatives within the year. The strategy development aligns with Zimbabwe's broader goal of leveraging AI for inclusive human development amid economic challenges, high youth unemployment, and climate vulnerabilities.
UNESCO's role in this collaboration extends beyond technical assistance. The organisation is also involved in creating mechanisms to support young researchers working on important regional historical projects, helping integrate these historical research initiatives into the national education system, and engaging with Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries on documenting liberation movement histories. This forms part of a broader cultural and educational AI strategy.
The support from UNESCO includes both financial and technical assistance, with the UNESCO-supported outreach program being a key part of the AI strategy development process. A broader public consultation process will follow to ensure inclusive citizen participation in the development of Zimbabwe's AI strategy.
The collaboration between Zimbabwe and UNESCO reaffirms UNESCO's role in promoting responsible and inclusive AI governance on the continent. The final AI strategy in Zimbabwe will incorporate diverse perspectives gathered through a nationwide UNESCO-supported outreach program.
Her Excellency Audrey Azoulay commends Zimbabwe's proactive steps in AI development, praising the nation's commitment to responsible and inclusive AI governance. The meeting between Dr. Chirume and Audrey Azoulay took place on the sidelines of the COP15 Conference in Victoria Falls, following earlier engagements between Zimbabwe and UNESCO at the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Bangkok.
The collaboration between Zimbabwe and UNESCO continues to reflect growing continental momentum toward responsible and inclusive AI governance. The final AI strategy in Zimbabwe is expected to help ensure that the country develops a context-relevant and ethically sound AI strategy, supporting its ongoing digital transformation and promoting inclusive human development.
A national consultative meeting involving local AI experts is scheduled for early August 2025. The meeting will provide an opportunity for further discussions and refinements to the draft strategy, ensuring that it addresses the unique needs and challenges of Zimbabwe while promoting responsible and inclusive AI governance.
[1] Source: Automatic Weather Stations and experimental autonomous equipment
[2] Source: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay's official visit to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, developed in collaboration with UNESCO, aims to integrate AI into school curricula, not only focusing on innovation but also on documenting regional history. The strategy's development involves both financial and technical assistance from UNESCO, with the goal of fostering responsible and inclusive AI governance on the continent.
In the spirit of creating mechanisms to support young researchers, UNESCO is engaged in documenting liberation movement histories across Southern African countries, integrating these historical projects into the national education system, and promoting AI as part of a broader cultural and educational strategy.
