Story by Owen Mandovha
ZIMBABWE has successfully created a licencing framework to enhance data protection which is vital in establishing a modern secure digital economy through mandatory licencing of data controllers for all organisations in the country.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is spearheading the initiative, which mandates all organisations across sectors to licence their data controllers in compliance with new data privacy and protection regulations.
The move aims to mitigate the risks of cyber fraud, privacy breaches, and other digital threats that could undermine the country’s digital economy.
“Compliance may be expensive, but non-compliance is even more costly. Licensing data controllers is essential to meeting modern data protection standards and averting risks that could threaten the economy,” POTRAZ’s Director General Dr Gift Machengete said.
Hundreds of data protection officers from both public and private sectors have since undergone formal training under the POTRAZ framework.
Zimbabwe is currently the only country in Southern Africa offering such a training and licensing programme, aligning itself with data protection leaders on the continent such as Nigeria and Ghana.
“The licensing of data protection officers aligns with our national goal of building a secure digital economy, in line with Vision 2030 and our aspirations for an upper-middle income society,” the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera noted.
Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Dr Innocent Matshe highlighted how the financial sector is dependent on a secure data framework.
“It is imperative that all banking institutions have compliance frameworks that offer data protection and security to prevent losses arising from cyber fraud and related risks”.
Institutions such as ZESA Holdings and Delta Corporation were licenced in a show of responsible corporate citizenship.
“As ZESA Holdings, we have managed to license all our subsidiaries so that we secure our data so that we don’t put electricity provision at risk,” ZESA General Manager for Stakeholder Relations, Dr George Manyaya said.
Zimbabwe’s robust data protection model is not only setting a benchmark in the region but also solidifying its position as a pioneer in securing Africa’s evolving digital landscape.
As the country continues to move towards a technology-driven future, such initiatives will be instrumental in ensuring cyber resilience, economic stability, and investor confidence.
