Recognition Seals POTRAZ’s Place Among Africa’s Best

The POTRAZ Effect…

By Shingirai Vambe

The journey of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe has been one marked by persistence, transformation, and a steady rise to prominence within Zimbabwe’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. From its formative years, when its establishment faced initial hurdles, to its current standing as a key driver of innovation, regulation, and digital inclusion, POTRAZ has grown into a pacesetter in corporate governance, service delivery, and corporate social responsibility.

At the centre of this transformation is the leadership of Director General Gift Machengete, whose tenure has been defined by a deliberate push toward transparency, accountability, and excellence. Under his stewardship, the regulator has adopted an open-door policy that has helped build trust within the telecommunications sector while strengthening its oversight of mobile, internet, and broader ICT services across the country.

Today, POTRAZ stands not only as a regulator but as an enabler of Zimbabwe’s digital future, driving innovation, nurturing talent, and expanding access to technology in both urban and rural communities.

The year 2025 marked a defining moment for both Machengete and the institution, with a series of prestigious accolades affirming their growing influence within the public and regulatory sectors. Machengete was named CEO of the Year (Regulatory) at the 2025 Africa CEO Roundtable Awards and was also recognized as the Second Best Performing Public Sector CEO for the same year. Further cementing his reputation, he received a Certificate of Recognition for Transformative Leadership from the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking (ZIST), alongside being honoured as the Best Performing CEO in the Regulatory State-Owned Enterprises category for 2024.

These individual accolades were mirrored by institutional success. POTRAZ was awarded the Cybersecurity Initiative of the Year at the 2025 Zimbabwe ICT Excellence Awards for its work under the Digital Financial Services Lab. The authority also scooped the Best in ICT Inclusion for People with Disabilities award, highlighting its commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

On the continental stage, POTRAZ was recognized as one of the top four outstanding Data Protection Authorities in Africa at the 2025 Piccaso Awards Africa, a testament to its growing leadership in data governance and digital rights.

Individual excellence within the organization also came to the fore. Director of Legal Services, Caecilia Nyamutswa, was honoured by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for her contribution to the Network of Women in the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector. Meanwhile, Deputy Director for Procurement Management, Never Apton, received the Supply Chain Transformation Leader Award, and Komborerai Maninji was named among Africa’s top 10 Rising Stars in Data Protection.

Beyond awards, POTRAZ’s impact has been most visible in its nationwide programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide. In 2025 alone, more than 257,000 Zimbabweans accessed services at Digital Centres across the country, with nearly 15,000 receiving ICT training. The authority completed the construction of 10 new Digital Centres and refurbished 20 containerized centres, while also expanding solar-powered facilities to ensure sustainability and resilience.

Education and capacity building remained a central pillar. Over 259 learning institutions and 100 government departments were equipped with ICT tools, while 167 school computer laboratories were established. In addition, 720 schools received laptops to support digital examination systems, marking a significant leap toward modernizing Zimbabwe’s education sector.

POTRAZ also intensified its support for vulnerable groups, training hundreds of persons with disabilities in both basic and advanced ICT skills and equipping institutions that support them. Financial assistance extended to 40 underprivileged university students across eight state universities further underscored the authority’s commitment to inclusive development.

Innovation has equally been a key focus area. Through initiatives such as hackathons and the Generate Your Business Idea (GYB) programme, young Zimbabweans are being empowered to harness technology and contribute to the country’s Vision 2030 aspirations, particularly in the emerging field of artificial intelligence.

On the infrastructure front, POTRAZ funded multiple telecommunications expansion projects, including tower relocations to improve network coverage in underserved areas. These efforts have contributed to measurable growth across the sector, with internet penetration rising to 82.87 percent and mobile penetration surpassing 104 percent.

In the realm of data governance, the authority has made significant strides. A total of 691 Data Protection Officers were trained in 2025 alone, bringing the cumulative number to nearly 1,000. The issuance of 845 Data Controller licences, alongside the development of six data protection guidelines and multiple awareness campaigns, reflects a robust push toward compliance and responsible data management.

Research and evidence-based regulation have also been prioritized, with 14 research papers produced to inform policy and regulatory frameworks.

Building on the momentum of 2025, POTRAZ has set an ambitious agenda for 2026, centred on deepening digital transformation and expanding access to ICT services nationwide.

Key priorities include rolling out targeted digital skills programmes for youth, women, and persons with disabilities, as well as expanding Digital Centres into rural and peri-urban areas. The authority also plans to strengthen innovation ecosystems through business incubation, mentorship, and funding support for start-ups.

Strategic partnerships with universities, industry players, and international organizations are expected to play a critical role in scaling these initiatives, while enhanced monitoring and evaluation systems will ensure accountability and impact.

At the same time, POTRAZ aims to elevate public awareness through strengthened communication strategies, leveraging modern media platforms to showcase success stories and promote digital literacy.

As Zimbabwe positions itself within the global digital economy, POTRAZ’s evolving role underscores the importance of strong institutions in driving sustainable development. Through a blend of regulatory oversight, innovation support, and inclusive programming, the authority is not only shaping the telecommunications sector but also laying the foundation for a digitally empowered society.