Antony Chawagarira
BULAWAYO – The government has pledged to expand support for young innovators as Zimbabwe works to build a skilled workforce capable of driving digital transformation and industrial development.
Deputy Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzi Phuti said young people are central to implementing the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and the country’s Education 5.0 initiative.
He spoke at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Zimbabwe 2026 National Finals in Bulawayo, which attracted more than 500 participants from all 10 provinces.
Zimbabwe launched its National AI Strategy (2026–2030) in March under the theme “Harnessing AI for inclusive development.”
Deputy Minister Phuti said the strategy requires investment in skills, infrastructure, governance, and innovation capacity to ensure the responsible and productive use of artificial intelligence.
“The National AI Strategy calls on us to build the skills, governance, infrastructure, and innovation capacity needed to use artificial intelligence responsibly and productively,” he said.
He said robotics competitions help translate government policies into practical initiatives by giving learners opportunities to identify problems, develop prototypes, and create solutions with social and economic value.
The Deputy Minister said initiatives such as the AI 4 Impact Grand Challenge, the Presidential Innovation Fair, and WRO Zimbabwe are creating pathways for young innovators to develop their ideas into research projects, enterprises, and locally produced technologies.
“WRO Zimbabwe complements these efforts by building the pipeline early—from school learners taking their first steps in robotics to advanced students developing solutions that can grow into research, enterprises, and technologies made in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The provincial championships reached more than 5,000 participants and were supported by nearly 450 educators.
Deputy Minister Phuti said strengthening educators’ capacity in robotics and cybersecurity is essential for sustaining innovation beyond competitions.
He also highlighted the role of postal and courier networks in supporting digital transformation by connecting schools and innovators with equipment, learning opportunities, and markets.
The 2026 national finals introduced additional categories to widen participation, including Robostarter for beginners and Future Engineers, which extends opportunities to colleges, polytechnics, and universities.
He said the categories create a progression pathway for learners to advance from basic robotics skills to complex engineering and innovation challenges.
“Together with Future Innovators, these categories create a progression pathway: a learner can begin with confidence, build technical depth, and advance toward complex engineering and innovation challenges,” he said.
The Deputy Minister commended organisations supporting the robotics program, saying collaborative efforts are vital for building Zimbabwe’s digital and engineering talent base.
