By Wallace Mawire
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is working to promote research and development to cultivate local Artificial Intelligence (AI) tailored to African contexts, according to Dr Gift Machengete, POTRAZ Director-General at the commemorations of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Day ICT conference and expo held in Harare, Zimbabwe on 11 December,2024.
Dr Machengete said that as POTRAZ, in support of Government policy and the work of the ATU, they are mandated to create environments conducive for technological growth.
‘To this end, we are actively working to expand digital infrastructure to ensure that AI technologies reach even the most remote communities. We are also promoting research and development to cultivate local AI solutions tailored to African contexts,’ he said.
He added that , the Authority is strengthening digital literacy initiatives to equip citizens, especially the youth including those with disabilities, with the skills required to thrive in an AI-driven world.
‘Importantly, we are working on developing ethical guidelines to safeguard against biases and ensure the responsible use of AI technologies,’ Dr. Machengete said.
He said that Governments, the private sector, academia and civil society all have critical roles to play in building the networks, knowledge bases and partnerships necessary for Africa to lead in AI innovation.
He also said that the just ended conference and tech expo provided a platform to foster such collaboration and explore how policy and innovation can converge to unlock AI’s transformative potential while ensuring AI remains beneficial and not detrimental to humanity.
He encouraged participants at the conference to seize the opportunity to exchange ideas, establish partnerships and chart actionable pathways toward accelerating responsible AI adoption.
‘We must combine visionary thinking with decisive action to ensure that AI serves as a force for good in Africa, driving progress, inclusivity and resilience,’Dr.Machengete said.
The event was held to celebrate Africa’s innovation and resilience, as well as a call to action for stakeholders to embrace transformative technologies that will shape the African continent’s future.
The event was held under the theme “Accelerating AI Adoption in Africa Through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development,” highlighting the critical intersection of technology and governance in advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
According to Dr Machengete, Artificial intelligence, once a distant frontier, is now a cornerstone of global innovation and economic growth.
He said that for Africa, it holds the promise of driving sustainable development, fostering inclusion and addressing some of the most pressing challenges.
He added that AI’s potential impact in Africa cannot be overstated.
He said that it can revolutionise agriculture through precision farming, enhance healthcare delivery with predictive analytics, optimise logistics and even transform education by personalising learning experiences.
He however, said that realising these possibilities requires more than technological readiness, but demnds demands deliberate, forward-looking policies and robust innovation ecosystems.
According to Dr Machengete, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has been at the forefront of guiding the continent’s digital journey.
He said that its commitment to harmonising ICT policies, fostering regional cooperation and championing capacity building has laid the groundwork for accelerated AI adoption.
‘We applaud the ATU’s leadership and reiterate our support for its initiatives aimed at empowering member states to harness AI responsibly and inclusively,’Dr.Machengete said.
