POTRAZ to Host High-Impact Workshop on AI, Machine Learning and 6G Innovation Under ITU’s ML5G Initiative

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is gearing up for a major capacity-building event as it takes a leading national role in the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) ML5G initiative. The programme places Zimbabwe at the forefront of emerging technologies, empowering local researchers, universities, and industry professionals to contribute meaningfully to the development of next-generation networks — including the future 6G ecosystem.

After accepting an invitation from the ITU, POTRAZ has committed to driving collaboration across academia and industry, providing mentorship and technical guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for telecommunications. The initiative aims to strengthen Zimbabwe’s innovation pipeline and ensure the country is well-positioned to participate in global advancements in intelligent network systems.As part of this mandate, POTRAZ will host an upcoming workshop designed to open new doors for African researchers. The session will introduce participants to the ITU AI/ML SandboxHub — a cutting-edge platform that enables researchers to experiment, analyse datasets, train AI models, and build end-to-end AI-driven telecom innovations.

The workshop will highlight ongoing AI/ML projects from across Africa, including work from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. These examples will showcase the continent’s growing contributions to global telecom innovation and provide inspiration for local researchers looking to develop their own AI solutions.Participants will also be guided through the onboarding process for academia, researchers, and startups wishing to join the SandboxHub.

The workshop will outline a wide range of downstream benefits, including: Opportunities to publish researchParticipation in innovation challengesContribution to international standardsLeadership development within global ICT communitiesIn addition, the ITU will offer access to valuable resources hosted on the platform, including training programmes, local events, open-source datasets, models, and reference code — all aimed at accelerating Africa’s AI/ML capabilities. Registration for the event is already open, providing Zimbabwean researchers and innovators with a unique opportunity to connect with global experts and position themselves within the rapidly evolving 6G research landscape.

To register please sign up here.