Zimbabwe Information and Technology Empowerment Centre

was honoured to participate in a roundtable discussion at the Deep Learning IndabaX Zimbabwe 2026 Edition at Arrupe Jesuit University, which was held under the theme: "Preparing the workforce of Zimbabwe for an AI-driven future. "

The discussion focused on “From Strategy to Action: Implementing Zimbabwe’s AI Strategy for Workforce Development.”
The discussion provided an important opportunity to raise awareness of Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy 2026-2030 and to reflect on how its six pillars can be streamlined to support workforce development.

In the conversation, ZITEC emphasised the strategic importance of advancing AI research as a foundation for evidence-based programming, policy interventions, innovation, and responsible AI development. Research remains the bedrock of AI growth because it helps us understand local realities, identify practical solutions, and design interventions that respond to Zimbabwe’s development priorities. Most importantly, delegates were challenged to take up careers in AI research because, according to Zimbabwe's AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, the number of AI and AI-related publications per capita was 0.02, the number of citations for AI and AI-related publications per capita was 0.001 and the number of FAccT publications per capita was 0.005. These statistics show the urgent need for AI research and development.

We also highlighted the need to document, package, and share Zimbabwe’s AI success stories with the global community. Showcasing local innovations is not only a visibility strategy; it is also a pathway for strengthening international collaboration, attracting partnerships, and positioning Zimbabwe within the global technology ecosystem.

Several important questions emerged during the discussion, including: How do we ensure that everyone has the necessary AI literacy to actively, meaningfully, and responsibly participate in AI conversations?

For ZITEC, this question sits at the core of our mission. We remain committed to promoting inclusive capacity building in AI literacy, digital skills, cybersecurity awareness, and other essential technology competencies to ensure that communities, young people, professionals, and decision-makers are not left behind in the AI-driven future of work.

It was also inspiring to learn from the youth-led innovations showcased during the event. These innovations demonstrate that Zimbabwe has the talent, creativity, and determination needed to move from AI strategy to practical implementation.

📢 Call for Applications - Training on Ethical Application and Use of AI for Civil Society

Are you part of a civil society organisation working to community development?

We are inviting applications for a training session on the ethical application and use of Artificial Intelligence by the civil society. This training supports civil society actors to better understand how AI can be used responsibly, ethical, safely, and effectively in advocacy, research, communications, service delivery, and organisational work.

Civil society actors, researchers, community organisers, youth groups and advocacy practitioners are encouraged to apply.

⏰ Application deadline: 6 June 2026

🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/8ZzCfeLYxrCuUXmJ7

This year's Africa Day reminds us that sustainable development in Africa begins with equitable access to essential services incuding access to safe water, and good sanitation.

At ZITEC we believe that, communities that are equipped with digital skills, access to information, and inclusive technologies are better positioned to respond to water challenges, strengthen environmental stewardship, and drive sustainable solutions.

This Africa Day, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting digital inclusion, innovation, and community empowerment as pathways toward a more resilient, informed, and sustainable Africa.

Today, we celebrate someone who shows up, not just for the programmes, but for the people we serve.

Happy Birthday to our incredible Programmes Manager! Gracy Msauki Your dedication, quiet strength and ability to turn vision into impact inspire everyone around you. The communities we serve are better because of the care you bring to every project, every plan and every person.

Wishing you a day as meaningful as the work you do. Enjoy every moment of it, you've earned it!

Raising Ethical AI Champions: Children Learn to Lead, Create and Think Responsibly with AI

On 3 May 2026, 42 children gathered at Greendale Methodist Church for an exciting and hands-on workshop on AI Fluency and Ethics.

The workshop created a strong foundation for children to understand what AI is, how it is used in everyday life and how they can engage with it responsibly in ways that protect and promote their rights.

The children explored AI basics, tested their knowledge on ethical use, discussed AI safety, identified “red line” information that should never be shared with AI, and learnt how to spot AI hallucinations. The programme also included interactive activities such as The Algorithm Scramble, Prompt Engineering Challenge, and Red Line.

The major highlight was training the children on using the PARTS (Persona, Action, Rules, Task and Steps) Framework. The children worked in teams to develop prompts, test the prompt using a generative AI tool, review the responses, and refine their prompts for improved outputs. Through this hands on activity, they learnt that effective use of GenAI starts with asking clear, thoughtful, and well structured prompts.

The conversations also connected ethical AI use with the Ten Commandments, reinforcing the Training children in AI fluency from a young age is a strategic investment in a generation that will not only use technology, but engage with it responsibly, ethically, and purposefully.

AI may be the engine, but our children are learning how to become thoughtful and responsible drivers of the future, who use AI with integrity, discernment and purpose.

Special thanks to the capable facilitators, Dr. Nancy Kwangwa Simbai Zindove

On World Press Freedom Day 2026, ZITEC reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as a critical enabler in today’s AI-driven information ecosystem.

As generative AI accelerates the proliferation of deepfakes and synthetic media, the ability to critically evaluate, verify and responsibly engage with information is no longer optional, it is a core digital competency.

At ZITEC, we are advancing capacity-building initiatives that empower citizens, students, and institutions to:

1. Detect and interrogate AI-generated content
2. Promote ethical information use and dissemination
3. Safeguard truth, trust and transparency in the digital space
4. Promote information integrity.

An informed society is a resilient society.

Big shout out our newest top fans! 💎

Bright Fidze

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

Today, we celebrate an exceptional leader whose vision continues to shape our organisation and the communities we serve.

Her commitment to advancing equitable access to information and technologies is a driving force behind everything we do. Through her leadership, we are actively catalysing digital skills and competencies that empower communities to participate meaningfully and competitively in the digital economy.

Here’s to a leader who is not only guiding progress but redefining what is possible.

Happy birthday Nancy Kwangwa

We hosted an engaging AI Literacy & Protecting Online Voices session in the Gweru, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe. The session convened AI enthusiasts to critically engage with the transformative potential of in addressing complex societal challenges, including the protection of online voices.

The workshop equipped participants with practical skills to develop no-code applications aimed at solving real societal challenges, as identified under Pillar 3 of the -AI Adoption and Service Transformation. Pillar 3 focuses on promoting AI adoption across Zimbabwe’s economy, improving service delivery, enhancing customer experiences, optimizing operational efficiency, and ultimately improving quality of life in line with 2.

Beyond technical skills, the session emphasised the importance of design thinking as a human centred approach to developing technology solutions that are not only technically sound but responsible, inclusive, and aligned with the , to safeguard digital voices.



Team4Tech

We recently hosted a pitching workshop as part of the mentorship programme for innovators in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe and . This workshop focused on a critical component for innovators -

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Tawanda Collins Muzamwese a 'serial' global entreprenuer. Dr Muzamwese unpacked how investors think, what influences their decisions, and how innovators can position their ideas for maximum impact when engaging with U.S.based investors.

A key highlight for the innovators was the elevator pitch exercises, where they practiced delivering concise, compelling pitches. Through structured feedback sessions, participants refined their messaging, strengthened their value propositions, and pefected how they communicate their vision clearly and persuasively.

An exciting era has began for these bright minds!


Team4Tech