VICTORIA FALLS – President Emmerson Mnangagwa will officially open the 57th Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Victoria Falls on Monday, a significant event that is expected to shape the future of legislative processes within the region.
The Assembly, which draws together lawmakers, ICT experts, and development partners from across the 16-member SADC bloc, will focus on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technology in enhancing parliamentary functions. Over 300 delegates, including Speakers of Parliament, Members of Parliament, and international observers, are in attendance.
In his keynote address, President Mnangagwa is expected to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to embracing digital transformation as a tool for accelerating regional integration, socio-economic development, and governance reforms. His speech is anticipated to set the tone for the forum’s deliberations and offer strategic guidance on how the SADC region can collectively adopt innovative technologies in public administration and legislative work.
Mnangagwa to Open SADC Parliamentary Forum, Championing AI and Digital Transformation
“As we move into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is vital that our parliaments evolve to meet the demands of a digital future,” President Mnangagwa is expected to say, according to sources close to the preparatory committee. “Artificial Intelligence must not be viewed with fear, but with foresight. It is a tool that can empower our institutions, increase transparency, and foster deeper engagement with our citizens.”
President Mnangagwa will officially open the 57th Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Victoria Falls this Monday. His keynote address is highly anticipated as it aims to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to digital transformation and outline a strategic vision for the region’s digital future.
This year’s Assembly is being held under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities.”
The choice of theme reflects the increasing interest among regional policymakers in the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform governance. President Mnangagwa is expected to challenge the region’s legislators to embrace AI not only as a tool for efficiency but also as a cornerstone of democratic governance.
Discussions at the forum will include case studies from SADC member countries, presentations by leading digital policy experts, and collaborative sessions designed to craft a unified framework for integrating AI into legislative operations.
Among the key areas of focus will be improving parliamentary record-keeping and documentation through AI-powered data systems, enhancing legislative research and analysis, and strengthening real-time citizen engagement through digital platforms. Delegates will also examine critical ethical concerns surrounding AI, including data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and ensuring equitable access to digital infrastructure.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals are playing an essential role in the Assembly, offering technical expertise and practical recommendations to bridge the gap between policymaking and technological implementation. Their input will help ensure that legislative institutions across the SADC region are not left behind as the world rapidly digitises.
In addition to AI, the Assembly will also address broader development priorities, such as post-COVID-19 economic recovery, youth empowerment, climate change adaptation, and gender equality in leadership. President Mnangagwa has previously highlighted these as critical pillars of Zimbabwe’s own development strategy, and his message is expected to encourage the region to adopt a similarly integrated approach.
Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who chairs the SADC PF Executive Committee, lauded the choice of Victoria Falls as the venue for this historic gathering. “This city symbolises both Zimbabwe’s natural beauty and its strategic importance in regional diplomacy,” he said. “This forum is an opportunity for SADC parliaments to learn from one another and modernise their systems to meet 21st-century challenges.”
Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of the SADC PF, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for coordinated action among member states. “This Assembly is not just about discussing ideas—it’s about turning them into tangible outcomes,” Sekgoma said. “We must leave here with a shared roadmap for responsibly implementing AI in a way that strengthens democratic institutions and public trust.”
The SADC Parliamentary Forum, established in 1997, serves as a platform for inter-parliamentary cooperation and dialogue across Southern Africa. It also acts as a conduit for aligning national legislative processes with broader SADC goals, such as economic integration, regional peace, and sustainable development.
President Mnangagwa’s leadership at this forum is expected to galvanise regional action on digital innovation. His continued emphasis on embracing technology as a driver of economic and institutional reform aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader national goals and positions the country as a thought leader in the region.
As the Assembly progresses, the focus on artificial intelligence signals a bold and forward-looking approach to governance. With President Mnangagwa setting the agenda and more than 300 regional leaders contributing to the dialogue, the 57th SADC PF Assembly may well mark a defining moment in Southern Africa’s journey toward digitally empowered and citizen-focused governance.
