Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient and secure digital ecosystem as it pushes ahead with the implementation of key national ICT and cybersecurity frameworks.
Speaking at the official opening of the National Cyber Security Conference and Expo 2025 in Harare earlier today ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti said the event comes at a crucial time when the cost and complexity of cyber
threats were rising sharply across the globe.
“Cybersecurity is no longer a side conversation; it is a national development priority,” Deputy Minister Phuti said.
“Digital trust is the new currency of development, and without it, innovation cannot thrive.”
The three-day event, will be held under the theme “Securing Zimbabwe’s Digital Future: From Policy to Practice”.
Highlighting global trends, Dep Min Phuti warned that cybercrime was projected to cost the world more than US$10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from US$3 trillion in 2015, citing figures from Cybersecurity Ventures.
“In Africa, more than 90 percent of businesses have experienced at least one cyber-attack in the past year, with phishing and ransomware being the most common,” he said.
“The continent loses an estimated US$4 billion annually to cybercrime, resources that could otherwise be channelled toward education, health, and innovation.”
Zimbabwe, he said, had made significant progress with the enactment of the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which provides a legal foundation for protecting personal data and prosecuting cyber offences.
However, he stressed that “policy alone is not enough,” calling for effective implementation supported by skills, technology and partnerships.
“The true measure of success lies in translating frameworks into practical resilience,” Dep Min Phuti said.
“This conference provides a rare opportunity to connect ideas with action.”
The event is also featuring a Cybersecurity Expo, where local and international exhibitors showcase innovations ranging from threat-intelligence platforms to AI-driven security systems.
