Mnangagwa Urges SADC to Embrace AI in Parliaments

Oscar J Jeke - Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community, urged the regional bloc on Monday to embrace artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in its parliaments, in order to revolutionize legislative processes, enhance efficiency, and deepen democratic participation across the region.

Speaking at the official opening of the 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Victoria Falls, President Mnangagwa emphasized that the Fourth Industrial Revolution necessitates a strategic adaptation of socio-economic sectors, including parliamentary systems.

Under the theme "Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities," President Mnangagwa highlighted the multi-purpose benefits of AI, including resource optimization, bridging the gap between parliamentarians and geographically dispersed citizens, and facilitating inclusive communication through easier translation.

The President underscored the SADC Heads of State and Government's commitment, within the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020-2030), to prioritizing ICT skills development, enhancing technology accessibility, and promoting investment in research and development for "Afro-centric innovation." He called for common approaches to technological adoption and cross-border technology sharing to foster interoperability and lower tariffs for the benefit of citizens.

President Mnangagwa also addressed critical concerns, stressing that the adoption of AI must "enhance rather than compromise the integrity and independence of our democratic institutions." He called for robust measures to address cyber-security, data protection, digital sovereignty, and to mitigate the potential for technological dependence. Zimbabwe, he noted, has already enacted a Cyber and Data Protection Act to regulate data security and ensure fairness in AI-driven services.

He further urged elected representatives to ensure that AI-based systems reflect the priorities and perspectives of the SADC region and Africa, rather than merely replicating global models, with the ultimate goal of strengthening democratic oversight, accountability, regional integration, and shared prosperity.