Zimbabwe elected Chair of CMICT as Smart Africa welcomes new Member States 

Kigali, March 24, 2025. Smart Africa convened today the 8th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of ICT (CMICT), bringing together representatives from 19 member countries, including 13 ministers, to advance the continent’s digital transformation agenda.  

During the meeting, new leadership for the Council was elected for a two-year term. Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, was elected as the new Chair of CMICT, while Hon. Djibril Ouattara, Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation of Côte d’Ivoire, was elected Vice Chair. 

They succeed the outgoing Chair, Hon. Léon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy of the Republic of Congo, and outgoing Vice Chair Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technologies and Innovation of the Republic of Ghana. 

Upon her election, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera expressed her appreciation and commitment to the role: 
“I’m really, really grateful for the confidence you have placed in my election, as president of the Council of Ministers in charge of ICT, from the Smart African Alliance. This moment is not only an honor, it is a responsibility to lead with purpose, to collaborate with intention, and to deliver tangible progress for our citizens.” 

Ministers received updates on key initiatives, including the Africa AI Council, the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA), the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), Internet Governance efforts, Smart Women and Girls in ICT and the Smart Africa Network of Incubators and Accelerators (SANIA). Member states were encouraged to designate focal points to actively engage in these initiatives and support their implementation at the national level.