By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
SADC Chairperson and the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has called on parliaments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to enhance legislative efficiency.
Speaking at the opening of the 57th session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Victoria Falls, Mnangagwa emphasized the broad benefits of integrating modern technology into parliamentary processes.
“Additionally, technology can bridge the gap between Parliamentarians and citizens in our geographically dispersed constituencies. This will enable more direct and frequent interaction, thereby improving representation, accountability and involvement of grassroots communities in parliamentary processes,” he stated.
The event this year is themed: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for effective and efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC region: experiences, challenges and opportunities.”
He also urged SADC parliaments to consider sharing technological resources to boost interconnectivity and reduce costs for the benefit of the people.
“The potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence and innovative technologies are multi-pronged. These offer solutions for resource optimization, which will in turn enable our Parliaments to achieve greater results.Our policies, with regards to ICT enablers and new technology uptake, should leave no one and no place behind,”he said.
Zimbabwe is actively working to incorporate digital solutions into governance, Mnangagwa noted.
He stressed that adopting AI and related technologies must strengthen, not undermine, democratic institutions, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity, data protection, digital sovereignty, and avoiding technological dependence.
Zimbabwe has already enacted the Cyber and Data Protection Act to regulate data security, reflecting its commitment to responsible technology integration into everyday life.