Zimbabwe is choosing to celebrate its 46th Independence Day on April 18 not just with ceremony, but with connectivity, as it rolls out free public Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide.
ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera hailed the initiative as a decisive signal that its digital future will be built on access, innovation and artificial intelligence.
Mavetera made the announcement at the Zimbabwe Annual Telecommunications Conference in Harare and hailed it as a significant shift from policy ambition to tangible infrastructure. With 409 hotspots already being deployed and a target of 1,000 by year-end, Zimbabwe is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive digital economy.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, and there are numerous applications that our young people can create to solve local challenges. Accessible and affordable connectivity is key to unlocking innovation,” she said.
The ICT Minister stressed that the initiative is more than just free internet but rather a strategic move to accelerate its AI readiness.
“By lowering the cost of access, the government is effectively opening the door for a new generation of developers, startups and innovators to experiment, build and deploy homegrown solutions across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and public services,” stated Mavetera.
The Wi-Fi rollout comes at a critical moment, as African nations race to grow digital infrastructure and AI capabilities. Zimbabwe has recently taken notable steps to keep pace, including licensing Starlink to operate in the country and expanding high-speed internet access to underserved and remote communities.
Alongside infrastructure, Harare is doubling down on skills. A flagship 1.5 million coding programme, delivered in partnership with the UAE, is equipping young Zimbabweans with capabilities in AI, cybersecurity and software development.
Complementing this is a government-led cybersecurity initiative that has already trained over 3 000 youths.
These efforts point to a broader national vision of building a functional AI ecosystem anchored on connectivity, skills and innovation. The conference that ran under the theme, “Beyond Connectivity: Telecoms, AI and Zimbabwe’s Digital Future,” captured this ambition.
Mavetera highlighted that as hotspots go live in schools, clinics and public spaces, Zimbabwe is effectively turning everyday locations into digital innovation hubs.
“In doing so, Zimbabwe is positioning itself not just as a participant, but as an emerging contender in Africa’s fast-evolving digital and AI economy,” she said.
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