By Farai Mteliso
Dr Obert Mpofu’s prolonged absence from public party activities since his reassignment to Secretary for Information Communication Technology raises important strategic questions that deserve thoughtful reflection. This is particularly critical at a time when technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation are redefining political, economic, and governance landscapes globally.
Dr Mpofu is not an ordinary political figure within ZANU-PF structures. As former Secretary General from December 2018 to September 2025, he was one of the most visible and operationally active leaders in the party. He rarely missed Politburo meetings, Central Committee gatherings, or national events. His visibility reflected both political influence and organisational responsibility.
However, since his reassignment to Secretary for ICT—a portfolio that is arguably more strategic in the modern era—his absence from key national and party events has been noticeable. The Independence Day celebrations in Maphisa last week, a major national and party milestone, passed without his visible presence. With the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) currently underway—a major platform for innovation, industrialisation, and technology discourse—expectations were high that he would re-emerge, particularly given the technological orientation of the event. As of yesterday, his presence had not been publicly observed.
This absence is not merely about visibility. It is about strategic leadership at a critical technological inflection point.
We are currently witnessing an unprecedented global race in artificial intelligence, automation, data governance, and digital sovereignty. Political parties, not just governments, are now expected to function as innovation incubators, policy laboratories, and strategic think-tanks. His Excellency the President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa emphasised this in his remarks during the launch of the National AI Strategy. The ICT Department within ZANU-PF should therefore be one of the most intellectually active and policy-shaping departments.
From an Information Systems and digital governance perspective, the role of the party’s ICT Secretary should include developing a Party Digital Transformation Framework and establishing a party AI Sandbox for experimentation and policy prototyping.
The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Zimbabwe, under the leadership of Hon Tatenda Mavetera, has already taken commendable steps in positioning Zimbabwe within the global AI and digital transformation landscape. The recent launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is a significant milestone. It demonstrates that Zimbabwe is not merely observing the global AI revolution but actively seeking to participate in it.
However, political parties must complement government initiatives. ZANU-PF, as the ruling party, has a strategic responsibility to internalise, refine, and operationalise these frameworks within its own institutional ecosystem. Party policy thinking should ideally inform government implementation, creating a feedback loop between innovation, governance, and political leadership.
This is precisely where the ICT Department becomes critical.
We should already be seeing:
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Party-driven AI innovation programs
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Digital skills acceleration initiatives for youth structures
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Data governance policy discussions within party think-tanks
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Smart governance pilot programs
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Innovation challenges and hackathons aligned to national priorities
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AI-assisted policy modelling and simulation
Globally, political institutions are adopting AI-assisted governance models. Countries are using predictive analytics for service delivery, machine learning for economic forecasting, and intelligent systems for traffic, health and security optimisation. Zimbabwe cannot afford to lag behind, particularly when the foundations, such as the National AI Strategy, are already being laid.
This is why leadership visibility and intellectual direction from the party ICT department is crucial. Strategic silence or inactivity at this stage creates a vacuum at a time when proactive positioning is required.
At the same time, this moment presents an opportunity.
The ZANU-PF Youth League, which also has a Secretary for ICT, Munashe Tawanda Mtutsa, can step forward and take leadership in this technological transition. The youth structures are naturally positioned to drive experimentation, innovation, and digital adoption. A Youth League-led AI Sandbox, innovation labs, and digital transformation pilots would complement both party and government initiatives.
This is not merely about technology. It is about national competitiveness, governance efficiency, and future-ready political leadership.
Zimbabwe has the intellectual capital. Zimbabwe has the policy direction. Zimbabwe has the youthful demographic advantage. What is needed now is visible strategic leadership, coordination, and execution.
The ICT department within the party must become a hub of innovation, policy development and digital transformation—not a quiet office in a time of global technological acceleration.
The AI race is already underway. Zimbabwe must not participate as a late adopter. We must position ourselves as proactive contributors.
I’ll be visiting the ZANU-PF stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) today to ask critical questions.
