Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
The Government has called for the adoption of sustainable, secure and inclusive digital solutions to accelerate Zimbabwe’s transition into a tech-driven economy, in line with the country’s development aspirations under Vision 2030.
Speaking at the Evolve ICT Summit 2025 held in Harare yesterday, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said Zimbabwe’s digital future hinges on collective action to build a resilient and equitable digital ecosystem.
“As a ministry, we are committed to building a digital landscape that is not only innovative, but also inclusive and sustainable,” she said.
“Our mission is to ensure that every Zimbabwean, regardless of gender, age, or location, has access to digital tools and opportunities.”
Minister Mavetera said the ICT sector had recorded several milestones over the past year, including the rollout of 5G networks, the licensing of low-earth orbit satellite connectivity and expansion of broadband infrastructure.
She also noted the implementation of key policy frameworks such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Cybersecurity Strategy, which aim to guide responsible digital transformation.
“This year’s theme, ‘Sustainable ICT Solutions for the Future,’ could not be more timely,” Minister Mavetera said.
“We must ensure our technological innovation is guided by values of sustainability and long-term resilience.”
As part of efforts to foster innovation, this year’s summit introduced a dedicated Student Innovation Day to showcase Zimbabwean youth achievements in artificial intelligence, green technology, app development and digital content creation.
Addressing the summit, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Dr Gift Machengete stressed the importance of data protection, cybersecurity and public trust as pillars of a successful digital ecosystem.
“Our solutions will not be sustainable without data protection and cybersecurity,” he said.
“And without user trust, they will fail.”
Dr Machengete said cyber threats were on the rise, with the financial sector being the most targeted.
In the first quarter of 2025, 46 percent of reported cyber-attacks in Zimbabwe were directed at financial institutions, with most incidents occurring between 10pm and 3am.
“These are not just statistics. These are breaches that affect institutions and citizens. The digital ecosystem is fragile and must be protected,” he said.
He acknowledged that while Zimbabwe performs well on legal and regulatory frameworks, it ranks low in technical cybersecurity capacity on the Global Cybersecurity Index.
He called for more investment in technical standards, cyber drills and intelligence sharing to strengthen national cyber defences.
“We are evolving, but we still have a long way to go. Our cybersecurity commitment is currently at Tier 4, and we must move towards higher levels if we are to secure our digital infrastructure,” Dr Machengete said.
The summit brought together key stakeholders from Government, industry, academia and development partners, and is expected to shape national ICT strategies that support Zimbabwe’s goal of becoming a digitally empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
