By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The government of Zimbabwe has revealed an ambitious new strategy to advance digital transformation and promote inclusive education, following its active involvement in the 14th Innovation Africa Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 27 to 30, 2025.
During a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere explained that Cabinet had reviewed the summit’s comprehensive report.
The summit brought together Ministers of Education, ICT, and Skills, as well as private sector leaders and development partners, to discuss Africa’s development priorities.
The summit’s theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” resonates strongly with Zimbabwe’s national development goals.
Muswere noted that the discussions focused on bridging education gaps through public-private partnerships, with key emphasis on digital innovation, teacher training, equitable access, and alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, SDG 4, and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa.
As part of its strategic response, Zimbabwe plans to form partnerships with the Digital Schools and Global Skilling Academies of the United Arab Emirates. These collaborations will focus on harnessing solar energy, digital education, and skills development programs to uplift rural communities and promote inclusive growth across the country.
“The government will work closely with these UAE-based initiatives to leverage solar power, digital tools, and community partnerships to accelerate development,” Muswere stated.
A major element of Zimbabwe’s plan involves training over 10,000 teachers and lecturers annually in artificial intelligence and digital literacy, reinforcing the country’s ongoing Competence-Based Education and Training reforms.
Additionally, efforts will be intensified to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas through the One Laptop per Child program, aimed at providing affordable digital learning tools to rural students.
“This initiative will help ensure that students in remote communities have equal access to digital education and are prepared for a technology-driven future,” Muswere said.
Zimbabwe also aims to boost the participation of women and girls in STEM fields, promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.
In line with regional development strategies, the government plans to establish more ICT manufacturing hubs, incorporate hydrogen energy and solar-powered technologies, and foster innovation across sectors. These measures are designed to stimulate industrial growth, support sustainable energy use, and embed technological advancements into the economy.
Overall, Zimbabwe’s new initiatives demonstrate its commitment to harnessing technology and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development and economic prosperity in the 21st century.