Johnson Progress

Zimbabwe must treat the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a national economic imperative to drive growth, enhance competitiveness, and improve efficiency across all sectors, a leading academic and business figure has warned.

This urgent call comes as the global community rapidly advances into an AI-led industrial transformation.

The warning was issued by Professor Kudakwashe Taruberekera, an academic and property developer, following his participation at the prestigious Global AI Show 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

He stated unequivocally that the nation must strategically position itself within the Fourth Industrial Revolution to avoid being left behind.

The professor elaborated that the scale of the technological shift demonstrated at the global forum, which convened world leaders and private sector giants, leaves no room for delay.

He emphasised that for Zimbabwe, hesitation is no longer an affordable option.

“AI is no longer a luxury or an add-on; it has become foundational,” Taruberekera said, stressing that nations failing to adapt to this rapid technological change face the severe risk of economic marginalisation.

He explained that AI has evolved far beyond a simple software tool, transforming into what he termed a “digital teammate.”

This technology proactively stores and analyses vast amounts of data at unprecedented speed, thereby enabling more accurate insights and superior strategic decision-making for both businesses and government.

From his perspective as the chief executive of Craft Properties, Taruberekera provided concrete examples of AI’s transformative potential.

He highlighted that in property development, AI can determine the optimal times to acquire land, suggest the most cost-effective building materials, and significantly minimise financial and engineering risks by reducing human error.

Furthermore, he connected this innovation directly to national policy, arguing that AI could be the engine for achieving Zimbabwe’s stated ambition of building a 24-hour economy.

“AI can manage client enquiries across multiple time zones around the clock,” he noted.

“When aligned with the vision of a 24-hour economy championed by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, what once seemed unattainable becomes possible. AI does not get tired.”

Taruberekera revealed that his own company is pioneering an “Intelligent Development Model,” using AI to manage multiple construction projects simultaneously with the same workforce a breakthrough he believes could revolutionise Zimbabwe’s entire real estate sector.

He also outlined broader applications, stating that AI can revolutionise urban planning by analysing complex datasets to forecast high-growth areas.

For the diaspora community, AI-powered virtual reality can facilitate remote property tours, building trust and investment from afar.

Additionally, AI-based early-warning systems can preemptively detect infrastructure faults like water leaks or structural weaknesses, helping to prevent disasters.

To achieve this AI-driven future, the professor stressed the need for foundational enablers.

He called for the prioritisation of AI literacy within Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 framework to train “digital construction managers,” alongside reliable electricity, fast internet, renewable energy investment, and the establishment of local data centres to protect sovereign land and title data.

Pointing to the UAE’s goal of an AI-powered government by 2027, Taruberekera concluded with a call for robust public-private partnerships, urging the government to view the private sector as a strategic ally.

“They have a clear national AI strategy that unites government and business,” he said.

“Zimbabwe has the talent. With the right tools, the country can become a technology hub for SADC and potentially the whole continent.”