Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to a secure and trusted digital economy today as it holds the 5th Data Protection Officer Certification Ceremony and 2nd Data Controller Licensing handover, licensing 255 controllers and certifying 143 officers.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, Permanent Secretary Dr Beaulla Chimure said the ceremony, which was held in partnership with Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) and the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), signified a crucial milestone in building public trust, protecting digital rights and positioning Zimbabwe as a regional leader in responsible innovation.
Minister Matevera said the ceremony demonstrated Zimbabwe’s determination to build a secure, trusted and inclusive digital economy in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision for technology-driven growth.
She said the country now has certified 953 data protection officers and licenced 831 data controllers, a development she said shows that the country is heading in the right direction.
“Zimbabwe is not only embracing the future but actively shaping it,” she said.
“Data is the lifeblood of the modern economy and with great power comes greater responsibility. We must ensure that data is handled ethically, securely and in full compliance with national laws and international best practices.”
Minister Mavetera said Zimbabwe’s regional profile in data governance is strengthening, citing international recognition for POTRAZ and the recent approval of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
“Zimbabwe’s standing in regional data protection continues to grow, with POTRAZ recently named runner-up at the Picasso Privacy Awards in Ghana and our Zimbabwe-trained officers emerging as rising stars across the continent,” she said.
“Cabinet has also approved our first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a major step that places Zimbabwe among Africa’s early movers in responsible AI governance,” she said.
POTRAZ director general Dr Gift Machengete said the dual ceremony represented another important stride in Zimbabwe’s mission to build a transparent, accountable and internationally aligned data protection ecosystem.
“Data is much like the bloodstream. When it is mishandled or exposed, the entire system is put at risk,” he said.
He added that 1 001 licence applications were received this year, with 831 organisations already certified as compliant with the Cyber and Data Protection Act.
However, he warned that more than 3,000 non-compliant entities must quickly align with the law.
“Every road eventually comes to an end,” said Dr Machengete.
“By next year, those still non-compliant will face the full sanctions prescribed by the Act.”
He said POTRAZ had expanded its data protection unit from 14 to 25 officers, conducted numerous awareness trainings and produced 12 implementation guidelines to strengthen compliance.
“Zimbabwe is now ranked among Africa’s top four data protection regimes, which is a big achievement,” he said.
HIT Vice Chancellor Prof Quinton Kanhukamwe said the partnership between the university and POTRAZ reflects a national mission to build a digitally empowered and industrialised Zimbabwe driven by homegrown talent.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming how nations work,” he said.
“But without strong data governance and cyber resilience, AI becomes a liability rather than an asset.”
He underscored the importance of data sovereignty, warning that countries that fail to secure their data eventually surrender control of their economies, institutions and identities.
“HIT remains committed to producing graduates who are technically skilled, ethically grounded and conscious of their national responsibility,” said Prof Kanhukamwe.
“I encourage the newly-certified officers to uphold high standards of accountability as you are the custodians of trust in the digital era.”
