RECOGNISING THAT: Africa and the SADC Region can no longer afford to overlook the transformative impact of AI, as it has become integral to progress and development;

• The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) 57^th Plenary Assembly Session convened a Symposium, on 6^th June 2025, on the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities.”

• The Symposium, which brought together Hon. Speakers and Parliamentarians from 13 SADC Member States, representatives of the Zimbabwean Government and AI Experts drawn from tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe incisively explored practical solutions and mechanisms to harness Artificial Intelligence to improve Parliamentary business processes, promote participatory democracy, guarantee inclusivity and strengthen the contribution of Parliaments to national and regional governance frameworks.

• In officially opening the Symposium, the President of the SADC PF, Hon. Speaker Justin Tokley, laid down the gauntlet for SADC National Parliaments by imploring them to cajole SADC nations to react promptly and tap into the nascent opportunities conferred by AI whilst at the same time tackling the challenges through a rule-based framework.

• Affirming that, it is only a matter of time before Parliaments fully consider the use of AI to catalyse parliamentary processes, the SADC PF President underscored the need to proactively legislate for AI following the example of the European Parliament which as per regulation 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council had laid down harmonised rules for Artificial Intelligence.

• The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services in the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, buttressed the observations by the SADC PF President in outlining the Zimbabwean Government’s perspective on Artificial Intelligence. Hon. Mavetera emphasised the imperative of adopting enabling legislative and policy frameworks at the national and regional level that promote the adoption of AI while ensuring adequate safeguards against the hazards of AI; mobilising domestic resources to fund AI research and infrastructure development; strengthening local and intra-SADC digital and innovation hubs; and, prioritizing the adoption of ethical AI that serves SADC citizens’ best interests.

• Acknowledging the role that the SADC FC has played in advocating for the harmonisation of legislative texts across the region through the development of Model Laws, Hon. Minister Mavetera encouraged the Forum to finalise the development of the Draft Model Law on Artificial Intelligence which will serve as a benchmark for the development of national legislative frameworks by SADC Member States.
• Recognising the digital divide particularly between urban and rural areas in the SADC Region, SADC National Parliaments were challenged to leverage on their control of the national purse to ensure adequate budgetary allocations for AI Research and Development and the establishment of the appropriate infrastructure, including in the hinterland, to ensure equitable access to AI.

• The Symposium also benefitted from expert presentations from representatives of Bindura University of Science Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Midlands State University, University of Zimbabwe, and the Harare Institute of Technology.

• In addition to showcasing the various AI tools that have been developed by the respective tertiary institutions that can be customised and deployed in bolstering parliamentary processes in the SADC region, the institutions of higher learning collectively emphasised the need for Parliaments and academic institutions to collaborate more closely in developing AI tools that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Parliamentary processes and ensure ethical and effective AI integration.

• The Country Reports presented by national Parliaments demonstrated that SADC Parliaments had readily embraced the AI revolution as evidenced by the proactive utilisation of AI in Parliamentary processes and the enactment of legislation and policies to govern the adoption and use of AI.

• A key recurring theme in the Country Reports was the concerted call for a regional legal framework and institutional innovation to guide responsible, rights-based AI use in SADC Parliaments, with emphasis on tailored applications, shared resources, and enhanced accessibility to bridge digital gaps.

• In view of the foregoing, the 57^th SADC PF Plenary Assembly resolved as follows:

• AI Adoption Is Inevitable and Should Be Embraced

Notwithstanding the risks associated with the adoption of AI, the AI juggernaut is inexorably moving forward and the SADC Region cannot afford to be left behind in this revolution. SADC Member States are encouraged to embrace AI as the benefits far outweigh the pitfalls.

• AI Needs Assessment & Strategy

SADC Parliaments are encouraged to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of current systems, including infrastructure and skills gaps to inform the development of a Strategic Roadmap for AI adoption. The evaluation should also be alive to the risks associated with AI.

• Capacity Development

SADC Parliaments are urged to roll out targeted capacity-building programmes for Members and Staff to enhance AI literacy, ethical awareness and practical application in Parliamentary processes.

• Infrastructure development

Noting that AI requires immense computing power, vast data storage and advanced algorithms, traditional infrastructures may be ill-suited to support these demands. Parliaments must urge SADC Member States to mobilize domestic resources and encourage public – private partnerships to modernize infrastructure and ensure that any investments in AI are maximized.

• Bridging the Digital divide

Parliaments must oversee the equitable roll-out of AI in Member States by ensuring that everyone, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, has equal access to technology and digital literacy skills. The adoption of AI must leave no one and no place behind.

• Creating a Conducive Legislative Environment for AI adoption

Parliaments, through the enactment of appropriate legislation, must create an enabling legislative and policy environment for the adoption of AI whilst guaranteeing the safety and security of users and the nation from the latent threats to personal and national security.

• Model Law on AI

The SADC Parliamentary Forum is encouraged to finalise the development of the Model Law on AI to provide a reference point for SADC Parliaments in the development and/or improvement of national AI-related legislation.

• Regulatory Framework

The SADC PF and national Parliaments must urge SADC Member States, through the SADC Secretariat, to initiate a consultative process towards the development of a Regional Legal and Regulatory Framework on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

• In closing the Symposium, the President of SADC PF, Hon. Speaker Justin Tokley, expressed profound appreciation to the Government and Parliament of Zimbabwe for successfully hosting the Symposium. He commended Parliaments for graciously sharing their country contexts, thus enriching the deliberations of the 57^th Plenary Assembly.

Done at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on 3^rd June 2025

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 57TH SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM PLENARY ASSEMBLY SYMPOSIUM ON THE THEME: 03 JUNE 2025