Zimbabwe is stepping up efforts to build a digitally skilled population as the country accelerates its national digital transformation agenda, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera has said.
Speaking at the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Breakfast Meeting held in Harare on Thursday, the Minister highlighted government initiatives aimed at preparing Zimbabweans for opportunities in the fast-evolving global digital economy.
The meeting, organised by the Computer Society of Zimbabwe and the ICDL Foundation, brought together policymakers, technology experts, academics and industry leaders to discuss digital literacy and the future of national talent.
Minister Mavetera said Zimbabwe’s economic transformation increasingly depends on the digital capabilities of its people rather than solely on natural resources or physical infrastructure. She said:
“Across the world, nations are increasingly recognising that sustainable economic growth will depend not only on physical infrastructure or natural resources, but on the skills, innovation capacity and digital competencies of their people.”
The Minister said Zimbabwe’s digital development strategy is guided by the National ICT Policy 2022–2027, which seeks to integrate technology across government services, industry and society.
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The policy framework also aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy driven by innovation, industrialisation and productivity.
To translate policy into real impact, government has strengthened partnerships with organisations such as the Computer Society of Zimbabwe and the ICDL Foundation to expand access to digital skills training.
Key programmes already underway include the Digital Skills Ambassadors Programme, the ambitious 1.5 Million Coders Programme and the CYBERUS Cybersecurity Programme, all designed to equip citizens with practical digital competencies.
The Ministry is also working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to introduce emerging technology subjects into the national curriculum.
These include coding, artificial intelligence and robotics, which are expected to be introduced from the primary school level under the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 framework.
Minister Mavetera stressed that teacher training will be critical to the success of these reforms, adding that internationally recognised digital certification frameworks such as ICDL can help strengthen educators’ technological capabilities.
Zimbabwe’s digital transformation journey is expected to reach a major milestone on Friday when President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially launches the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The minister saod:
“Zimbabwe possesses one of the most important ingredients for digital transformation: a young, intelligent and highly capable population.”
She added that strengthening digital literacy across society will ensure Zimbabwe’s youth not only participate in the global digital economy but also help shape it.
Government believes that sustained investment in digital infrastructure, education and innovation will position Zimbabwe as a competitive player in Africa’s growing technology ecosystem.
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