Zimbabwe pushes smart government agenda with new digital blueprint

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, has outlined a new strategy aimed at accelerating the country’s transition toward an integrated and digitally driven government system under Vision 2030.

Speaking at a conference for ICT Directors organised by the e-Government Unit, the minister said Zimbabwe was moving away from fragmented and paper-based public administration toward a smart government ecosystem designed to improve efficiency, service delivery, and citizen engagement.

The address followed the official handover of the country’s Enterprise Architecture Model blueprint, which is expected to guide the integration of government digital systems and public services.

Mavetera identified five strategic priorities that will shape Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda. These include radical interoperability across ministries and government departments, harmonised ICT procurement systems, enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure, artificial intelligence capacity development, and a cloud-first, mobile-first approach to digital service delivery.

The minister said government plans to implement a Government Service Bus and integrated online portal to enable seamless data sharing and access across ministries, describing data as a national asset that should support coordinated public service delivery.

She also announced plans to establish a renewed Sectoral Cybersecurity Response Centre to strengthen the protection of government databases and critical national digital infrastructure amid growing cyber threats.

On artificial intelligence, Mavetera said Zimbabwe intends to launch a national AI Skills Accelerator Programme targeting public sector workers, with a focus on building local expertise in AI and machine learning tailored to Zimbabwean development needs.

The minister further highlighted the need for supporting legislation and regulatory frameworks, including a National AI Ethics Framework, data sovereignty instruments, and policies to support digital government implementation and digital skills development.

According to Mavetera, Zimbabwe aims to position itself as a leading destination for digital innovation and investment through coordinated reforms and modernised public sector systems.

She called on ICT Directors across government institutions to play a central role in driving the country’s digital transformation and supporting the broader goals of the Second Republic’s development agenda.