Bridging the readiness gap: Zimbabwe’s AI capacity for economic development

Abstract

The exploratory study evaluates Zimbabwe’s readiness and capacity to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic development. Guided by the Developmental State Theory (DST) and Critical Technological Constructivism (CTC), the study employed thematic analysis of semi structured interviews with forty five purposively selected stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. It examined five dimensions: digital infrastructure, policy coherence, institutional capacity, sectoral preparedness, and skills availability. Findings reveal a growing awareness of AI’s potential, with emerging applications in banking and agriculture, as well as some university based innovation hubs. However, persistent challenges include weak infrastructure, limited research funding, and a shortage of professionals skilled in AI. Low digital literacy, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates the gap. Government initiatives such as Smart Zimbabwe 2030 demonstrate intent towards policy alignment, yet meaningful progress will depend on strengthening three interconnected pillars: infrastructure readiness, institutional coordination, and human capital development.