By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
VICTORIA FALLS — Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, has been appointed to the Smart Africa AI Board, placing the southern African nation at the centre of continental efforts to shape artificial intelligence governance.
The appointment, confirmed during the 2nd Africa Preparatory Meeting for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Victoria Falls, sees Minister Mavetera join a select group of African ministers and experts tasked with accelerating AI adoption across the continent.
In her keynote address delivered by Deputy Minister Hon. Dingimuzi Phuti, Minister Mavetera described the appointment as a responsibility that extends far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
“I do not carry this responsibility for Zimbabwe alone,” the Minister stated. “I carry it for every young African girl and boy who dreams of building the next great African AI startup. I carry it for every policymaker seeking guidance on ethical algorithms.
“And I carry it for this Assembly – to ensure that our preparatory work for PP-26 includes a strong, unified African stance on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.”
The Smart Africa AI Board is tasked with harmonising AI policies across the continent and ensuring that Africa’s voice is loud and clear in global AI governance forums.
This includes input into the International Telecommunication Union’s upcoming Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), where international rules on AI in telecommunications will be negotiated.
Minister Mavetera’s appointment comes just months after Zimbabwe launched its own National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030), one of the first such frameworks in Southern Africa. That strategy, anchored on “Ubuntu-led innovation,” prioritises ethical governance and computational sovereignty.
Analysts see the appointment as recognition of Zimbabwe’s rapidly growing influence in digital policy. While larger economies like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa have historically dominated continental tech policy discussions, Zimbabwe’s proactive approach to AI legislation has earned it a seat at a relatively young table.
The Smart Africa Alliance, which includes over 30 African nations, has been a driving force behind continental digital transformation initiatives, including One Africa Network and harmonised roaming policies.
Its AI Board is expected to produce model legislation and ethical guidelines that member states can adapt to local contexts.
For young African tech entrepreneurs, the appointment signals that AI policy is no longer being shaped solely by Western powers or large tech firms.
Minister Mavetera has publicly committed to prioritising startup-friendly policies that encourage local AI innovation while protecting citizens from algorithmic harms.
The Smart Africa AI Board’s next meeting is expected to take place ahead of PP-26, where it will present a unified African position on artificial intelligence governance to the global community.
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