Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) director general Dr Gift Machengete has urged regulators worldwide to embrace inclusive and forward-looking governance models as emerging technologies outpace traditional regulation.
Speaking at the International Telecommunication union (ITU) Global Symposium for Regulators in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, Dr Machengete said regulators face the challenge of balancing innovation with public protection, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT).
“At POTRAZ, we see balancing innovation with public protection as a central challenge,” he said.
“That is why we have moved from passive oversight to proactive innovation stewardship, guided by adaptive policy experimentation, evidence-based regulation and multi-stakeholder engagement.”
He pointed to the creation of the National Innovation Acceleration Centre (NIAC), developed with ITU, as a platform for testing regulatory approaches in real-world settings.
“Through foresight, sandboxing and co-creation, we can trial policies before they are formally enacted,” he said.
Dr Machengete also said of paramount importance is the role of evidence-based regulation, supported by POTRAZ’s Research and Development department, which funds ICT studies with universities, publishes the POTRAZ ICT Research Journal and tracks global technology trends.
“This allows us to safeguard consumer rights, protect data privacy and promote trust in digital platforms, while also fostering entrepreneurship and innovation,” he said.
He also said that multi-stakeholder collaboration was of paramount importance.
“We believe regulation works best when co-created with those it affects, especially startups and entrepreneurs.”
Turning to sustainability, Dr Machengete said governance must align with global development goals and climate resilience. “Sustainability in governance goes beyond technology, it speaks to resilience, inclusivity and alignment with global priorities,” he said.
The ITU Global Symposium for Regulators brings together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world to explore strategies for shaping digital economies.
