Harare to Install 20 AI-Powered Traffic Cameras in Major Road Safety Drive
Harare is set to introduce a high-tech traffic management system next month, with 20 artificial intelligence (AI)-powered camera sites scheduled for installation across the capital in the first phase of a nationwide rollout.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, is aimed at curbing speeding, red-light violations and other dangerous driving behaviours that contribute to road accidents and congestion.
According to The SundayMail, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, said the first phase of the programme is expected to be completed before March 15, 2026.
“The first phase, which is anticipated to be rolled out before March 15, 2026, shall cover 20 identified sites in Harare,” said Ambassador Faranisi.
Also Read: Zimbabwe Introduces Solar-Powered Smart Traffic Lights System to Modernise Roads
Smart Poles at High-Risk Intersections
The project will see AI-embedded traffic cameras mounted on smart poles at identified high-risk intersections and accident-prone zones across the city.
Although authorities have not yet disclosed the exact locations, problematic areas previously flagged include parts of the central business district and major arterial routes such as Samora Machel Avenue, Julius Nyerere Way, Abdel Gamal Nasser Road (formerly Rotten Row), Simon Mazorodze Road and Liberation Legacy Way (formerly Borrowdale Road).
“These cameras will detect various traffic violations like red-light violations and speeding,” Ambassador Faranisi said.
He added that installations would prioritise hotspots where motorists frequently flout traffic rules, causing unnecessary congestion and endangering other road users.
How the AI System Will Work
The AI-powered system will use advanced image recognition and data analytics to monitor traffic in real time. The cameras will automatically capture vehicle registration numbers and analyse driver behaviour to detect violations without the need for continuous human monitoring.
Speed detection cameras will be deployed in accident-prone areas where motorists are tempted to exceed speed limits. Using radar- or laser-based technology, the devices will measure vehicle speeds and instantly flag those breaching prescribed limits.
Authorities say the automated enforcement system will reduce human error, enhance consistency in traffic policing and increase the likelihood of offenders being detected.
Nationwide Expansion Planned
The Harare rollout marks the beginning of a broader plan to modernise traffic law enforcement through digital technologies while improving road safety and easing congestion in urban areas.
“Phase 2 will cover Bulawayo city, where similar cameras will be installed,” Ambassador Faranisi added.
Research from countries that have adopted similar automated systems indicates that AI-powered speed enforcement significantly reduces accident rates by encouraging motorists to adhere more strictly to traffic regulations.
The Government believes the introduction of smart traffic cameras will serve as both a deterrent and a long-term solution to dangerous driving practices on Zimbabwe’s roads.
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