Mnangagwa and Boko advance Zimbabwe–Botswana health trade and investment agreements

Zimbabwe government supports Econet AI launch for digital economy growth

The Zimbabwean government has endorsed the launch of Econet AI, an artificial intelligence unit by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe through its parent company Cassava Technologies. The initiative, unveiled in Harare, aligns with Zimbabwe's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030 to transform the economy through AI. ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera stated that this development positions Zimbabwe as a producer, not just a consumer, of AI technologies. The government has established governance frameworks, including an AI Strategy Implementation Office and a National Digital Regulatory Committee, to ensure ethical AI adoption. Econet AI aims to provide local businesses with access to advanced AI tools and computing power, fostering participation in the global digital economy. Cassava Technologies has partnered with global tech firms like NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic to facilitate AI applications across various sectors. Econet Wireless Zimbabwe chief executive Douglas Mboweni highlighted the company's existing use of AI for network fault detection and customer support. The African Development Bank estimates AI could contribute up to US$1 trillion to Africa's GDP by 2035.