Source:State issues first Data Controller Licences– heraldIvan ZhakataHerald CorrespondentIn a landmark move toward bolstering digital trust and security, Zimbabwe has officially issued its first-ever Data Controller Licences, positioning itself as a regional leader in data protection and governance.The handover ceremony, held in Harare last Friday, marked a critical step in the implementation of the country’s Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 11:12], signalling a new era of accountability in the digital economy.Speaking at the ceremony, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister, Tatenda Mavetera, lauded the milestone as proof of Zimbabwe’s determination to lead in digital transformation.“This milestone reaffirms our nation’s commitment to data protection, digital governance, and compliance with global best practices while aligning with our domestic legal framework,” she said.Minister Mavetera said Zimbabwe joined a small group of African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, with established data controller licensing frameworks.“Few nations across the world have formalised such regimes This makes Zimbabwe a pacesetter not only in SADC, but across Africa,” she said.The Minister said the initiative’s regional impact is already evident, with some of the trained data controllers hailing from countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, and Malawi.She said the development coincides with President Mnangagwa’s chairmanship of SADC and called it “the icing on the cake.”Minister Mavetera also urged the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to decentralise the training programmes currently concentrated in Harare and make them accessible across all provinces.“No Zimbabwean should be left behind due to geographical constraints I call upon POTRAZ to partner with all state universities and tertiary institutions to expand this training,” she said.The Minister also called for a review of training costs to ensure affordability and inclusivity.“These licences are not just a regulatory requirement; they are a strategic tool to ensure that Zimbabwe’s digital transformation is secure, inclusive, and aligned with international standards,” she said.POTRAZ Director-General Dr Gift Machengete said the licence was more than a piece of paper but a cultural shift toward responsible data governance.“Compliance is not about ticking boxes; it is the foundation of trust,” he said.“Around the world, failure to protect data has resulted in identity theft, financial fraud, and reputational harm.“We cannot allow such risks to take root in our country.”Dr Machengete said 570 organisations have been licensed and over 560 data protection officers trained to date.POTRAZ has also developed key operational guidelines, responded to data breaches, and conducted nationwide public awareness campaigns.“This licence represents your organisation’s alignment with both national and international standards It is a strategic asset that will boost your efficiency, credibility, and stakeholder confidence,” Dr Machengete said.He said true compliance was ongoing and urged licensees to continue investing in cybersecurity, regular audits, and ethical data handling practices.As Zimbabwe moves to solidify its digital economy, stakeholders at the event hailed the licensing initiative as a transformative step that will attract investment, enhance innovation, and protect citizen rights in the digital age.“In protecting data, we are protecting what it means to be human in a digital world,” said Dr Machengete.No related posts
Source:State issues first Data Controller Licences– herald
In a landmark move toward bolstering digital trust and security, Zimbabwe has officially issued its first-ever Data Controller Licences, positioning itself as a regional leader in data protection and governance The handover ceremony, held in Harare last Friday, marked a critical step in the implementation of the country’s Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 11:12], signalling a new era of accountability in the digital economy Speaking at the ceremony, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister, Tatenda Mavetera, lauded the milestone as proof of Zimbabwe’s determination to lead in digital transformation “This milestone reaffirms our nation’s commitment to data protection, digital governance, and compliance with global best practices while aligning with our domestic legal framework,” she said
Minister Mavetera said Zimbabwe joined a small group of African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, with established data controller licensing frameworks “Few nations across the world have formalised such regimes This makes Zimbabwe a pacesetter not only in SADC, but across Africa,” she said The Minister said the initiative’s regional impact is already evident, with some of the trained data controllers hailing from countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, and Malawi
She said the development coincides with President Mnangagwa’s chairmanship of SADC and called it “the icing on the cake.”
Minister Mavetera also urged the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to decentralise the training programmes currently concentrated in Harare and make them accessible across all provinces “No Zimbabwean should be left behind due to geographical constraints I call upon POTRAZ to partner with all state universities and tertiary institutions to expand this training,” she said The Minister also called for a review of training costs to ensure affordability and inclusivity
“These licences are not just a regulatory requirement; they are a strategic tool to ensure that Zimbabwe’s digital transformation is secure, inclusive, and aligned with international standards,” she said POTRAZ Director-General Dr Gift Machengete said the licence was more than a piece of paper but a cultural shift toward responsible data governance Source: Zimbabwe Situation
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