I’ve always been curious about the concept of “leapfrogging”. It’s an often-used term. Ever since I entered the digital transformation space, I’ve heard everyone-who-is-everyone proclaim that technology will help the developing world to “leapfrog”. It sounds promising and exciting, but few have ever dissected how exciting “leapfrogging” really is.

This is how I imagine it.

Artificial intelligence often carries an aura of futurism, conjuring images of gleaming laboratories in Silicon Valley or Shanghai. In Africa, however, its impact is beginning to seep into far less rarefied settings: the smallholder farm, the informal market stall, the corner shop. The question is whether AI will become a genuine tool of empowerment for millions or simply another technology that amplifies existing divides.

While global investors flock to Lagos and Nairobi, something remarkable is happening in Harare. In converted warehouses and university labs across Zimbabwe, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Several innovative startups have emerged in Zimbabwe, demonstrating growing entrepreneurial energy despite funding challenges. While the ecosystem is still developing, Zimbabwe holds strong potential to become a vibrant hub for innovation in Southern Africa with continued support and investment. This emerging ecosystem is gaining recognition as a promising player in the region’s startup landscape.