ZimX Finance has launched ZiRA, the Zimbabwe Resource Assistant, a new artificial intelligence platform aimed specifically at Zimbabweans. Available now in public beta at zira.chat, ZiRA supports users in ChiShona, isiNdebele, and English, and is designed to assist with education, remittances, and cultural knowledge for both local and diaspora populations.
Developed by ZimX Finance under the umbrella of BlackMass Enterprises Ltd, ZiRA seeks to fill a significant gap in Zimbabwe’s technology landscape. Unlike existing global AI assistants, which cater to a broad audience, ZiRA is tailored to the unique linguistic and cultural context of Zimbabwe. “Every major economy is building AI tools for its people. Zimbabwe deserves the same,” said Munashe Emperor Roy Mupoto, the founder and CEO of ZimX Finance. He emphasized that ZiRA is not merely a translation tool but an assistant built to understand the nuances of Zimbabwean life.
ZiRA launches with three specialized modes: Remittances, Culture, History, and Language, and Education and Research. In the Remittances mode, the assistant provides users with insights into transfer fees, exchange rates, and expected recipient amounts, establishing a foundation of transparency. This is particularly relevant for the UK-Zimbabwe remittance corridor, which processes approximately $2.58 billion annually. While full remittance processing features are still under development, the current beta version aims to guide users effectively.
In addition to its financial capabilities, ZiRA serves as a cultural and educational resource. It communicates fluently in ChiShona and isiNdebele, offering users insights into Zimbabwe’s rich history, cultural practices, and proverbs. This cultural mode is designed to assist the diaspora in reconnecting with their heritage, providing a digital repository of Zimbabwean identity.
In terms of educational support, ZiRA aims to aid students in O Level and A Level preparations, academic research, and scholarship discovery. This educational companion is positioned as a free resource to foster learning among students throughout Zimbabwe.
The introduction of ZiRA comes at a time when the global diaspora of Zimbabweans is estimated to be over 3 million, with a significant number residing in the United Kingdom. The 2021 Census recorded 124,146 Zimbabwe-born residents in England and Wales, a figure that has more than doubled in the past two decades. Despite the growing population, digital tools tailored specifically for this community remain limited, leaving a void that ZiRA aims to address.
ZimX Finance is not just focused on developing ZiRA; it is also building a regulated digital payment infrastructure for the UK-Zimbabwe remittance corridor. The company has introduced a dual-token ecosystem that includes ZiGX®, a USD-pegged stablecoin, and ZIMX®, which is intended for utility and governance within the ecosystem. The core smart contracts have been developed by Boosty Labs and independently audited by Hacken to ensure security. A comprehensive white paper detailing the technical specifications and regulatory compliance is available at zimx.io/whitepaper.
As ZimX Finance prepares for formal regulatory authorization in both the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, it has engaged with regulatory bodies such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Fintech Regulatory Sandbox. However, it emphasizes that engagement does not constitute any form of approval or endorsement by regulators.
Munashe Emperor Roy Mupoto, also known as Emps Roy, is a British-Zimbabwean entrepreneur who previously founded the music events company LoveMusicLive. He has established a portfolio of registered trademarks, including ZIMX®, ZiGX®, and LOVEMUSICLIVE®, with plans for international expansion.
Currently, ZiRA is accessible through any web browser without the need for download or registration, functioning as an informational and access layer of the ZimX Finance ecosystem. Future enhancements planned for ZiRA include WhatsApp integration, a mobile application, and features that will expand its utility to areas such as business support, health information, and agriculture.
The launch of ZiRA marks a significant step in providing tailored AI solutions for Zimbabweans, highlighting the importance of cultural and linguistic specificity in the development of technological tools. As the platform evolves, it aims to empower users both locally and in the diaspora, reflecting the diverse needs of the Zimbabwean community.
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