• Zimbabwe, Huawei discuss expanding ICT talent development cooperation
• Plans include digital training center aligned with 2030 strategy
• No formal deal signed; talks follow prior LinkedIn, UAE partnerships

The Zimbabwean government is looking to deepen its cooperation with Huawei to develop digital talent, a key topic during discussions on Monday, September 1, between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and senior officials from the Chinese technology company during an official visit to China.

The proposed collaboration includes expanding investments in ICT talent and establishing a digital training center. This initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s national digital transformation strategy for 2030, where one of the three main pillars is the development of digital skills and capacity building. The government has previously identified the lack of ICT skills and low digital literacy as major challenges to the country's digital transformation.

In response, Zimbabwe has sought out multiple partnerships. In August 2024, the government signed an exploratory agreement with LinkedIn to develop the digital skills of civil servants and young people through the "LinkedIn Learning" platform. In April 2025, a program to train 1.5 million citizens in programming and artificial intelligence was launched with support from the United Arab Emirates as part of the “Zimbabwe Digital Skills Program.”

During that program's launch, authorities said they wanted to lay “the foundations for a future-oriented workforce proficient in cutting-edge technologies.” The World Bank estimates that 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030. Zimbabwe faces high rates of unemployment and underemployment, particularly among young people, with the unemployment rate estimated at 35% in 2021.

While Huawei has stated it “remains committed to playing a central role in Zimbabwe’s digitalization agenda,” no new formal agreement has been signed or announced at this time.

Isaac K. Kassouwi