By Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, today, officially opened the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls, calling on regional parliaments to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation to strengthen democracy and enhance legislative efficiency.
Addressing parliamentarians from across the region, President Mnangagwa underscored the importance of adopting cutting-edge technologies to ensure greater inclusivity and improved citizen engagement.
“Technology can bridge the gap between parliamentarians and citizens, especially in our geographically dispersed constituencies. Language should never be a barrier to democratic participation. AI can support translation, communication, and accessibility,” he said.
The President highlighted the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence and innovative technologies to transform parliamentary systems across the region. He noted that these tools can help optimiseresources, streamline processes, and enable parliaments to achieve more effective outcomes.
“For SADC parliaments, the potential benefits of AI are multi-faceted. These technologies offer smart solutions for resource optimisation, which will in turn improve legislative performance and results,” he added.
He urged parliaments to embrace digital transformation in pursuit of more evidence-based and people-centred policies.
“I therefore urge all parliaments to adopt Artificial Intelligence and other technologies to revolutionise the legislative process. This will allow for more inclusive engagement and ensure that our policies truly reflect the needs of the people.”
The plenary session is being held under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Challenges and Opportunities.” It comes at a time when the region is intensifying efforts toward deeper integration and digital transformation.
President Mnangagwa also reflected on his tenure as Speaker of Parliament and his role as Head of the SADC Election Observer Mission in Malawi, noting how regional cooperation and democratic benchmarks have evolved over the years.
“As the Fourth Industrial Revolution transforms the world, it is critically important that all socio-economic sectors, including parliaments, adopt ICTs,” he said. “At the national level, Zimbabwe is scaling up digitalisation through university-based digital hubs and partnerships with industry.”
He emphasised the need for regional coordination, acknowledging that SADC parliaments are at different stages of digital maturity.
“This diversity creates a rich environment for collaboration. We must develop interoperable systems and promote common approaches to technology to enhance cooperation among our parliaments.”
The President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020–2030), which prioritises ICT skills development, research, and the promotion of Afrocentric innovation.
The 57th Plenary Assembly brings together lawmakers from SADC’s 16 member states to share experiences, explore legislative innovations, and work toward strengthening democratic institutions across the region.
