HARARE, Zimbabwe – In a significant move towards modernizing the creative sector, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Bindura University of Science and Technology (BUSE) for the development of an online artist registration system. The signing ceremony took place at NACZ head Office in Mt Pleasant.
The agreement, formalized on 28 November 2025 will see BUSE, build, and manage a custom web-based application. This digital platform will streamline the process for all artists in Zimbabwe to register with the NACZ, replacing manual methods and enhancing the Council’s capacity to manage and support the creative community.
Mr. Napoleon Nyanhi, the CEO of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, emphasized the transformative impact of the project, stating, “This partnership is a game-changer for the administration of the arts in Zimbabwe. Moving from a paper-based to a digital registration system will eliminate geographical barriers, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and give us, for the first time, a real-time, accurate picture of our national artistic workforce.”
The initiative is a foundational step towards creating a more organized, efficient, and data-driven creative industry. The system will also have the additional effect of drawing opinion from a larger pool when it comes to policy on the cultural and creative industries.
Professor Ronald Manhibi, Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), highlighted the synergy between academia and national development needs:
“We are happy to be running with education 5.0. We are applying our skills to real-world challenges that serves the nation. This project is a perfect example of how science and technology can be harnessed to empower the arts and culture sector. It provides invaluable experiential learning for our students while delivering a critical digital infrastructure for Zimbabwe.”
