MIDWEEK REPORTER
HARARE-The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has accelerated digital inclusion and innovation across the country under the leadership of its director-general Dr Gift Machengete, whose performance has earned him national recognition and several accolades from outside the border.
Dr Machengete was recently named the Second Best Performing Public Sector Chief Executive Officer for 2025 at the Presidential Performance Awards, reflecting the regulator’s expanding impact in strengthening Zimbabwe’s telecommunications and digital ecosystem.
The accolade adds to a string of honours received by the Potraz chief, including being named CEO of the Year (Regulatory) at the Africa CEO Roundtable Awards in 2025 and receiving a Certificate of Recognition for Transformative Leadership from the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking.
He was also recognised as the Best Performing CEO in the Regulatory State-Owned Enterprises Category for 2024, highlighting consistent leadership within the sector.
During the past year, Potraz intensified efforts to bridge the digital divide through infrastructure development, training programmes and innovation support initiatives.
Digital centres established across the country recorded significant utilisation, with 257 202 people accessing services while 14 925 patrons received training in various ICT-related programmes.
The authority also expanded digital infrastructure by completing construction of 10 digital centres and refurbishing 20 containerised centres, while 259 learning institutions and 100 ministries, departments and agencies were equipped with ICT gadgets.
In the education sector, Potraz established 167 computer laboratories in schools and supplied 720 schools with laptops to support digital examination registration.
To ensure sustainability of digital infrastructure, solar installations were completed at two additional digital centres, bringing the total number of solar-powered centres nationwide to 48.
The regulator also continued supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through national programmes, including training 30 innovators under the Generate Your Business Idea module and providing grants to 52 innovators through mentorship and incubation initiatives.
In addition, 40 underprivileged university students across State universities received financial support covering tuition, accommodation, stipends and data allowances.
Potraz further strengthened inclusion by training 286 persons with disabilities in basic ICT skills and 69 in advanced ICT programmes, while 30 institutions supporting people with disabilities were equipped with ICT gadgets.
To expand telecommunications access, the authority funded 13 tower relocation projects aimed at improving network coverage in underserved areas.
Sector performance indicators also recorded growth, with internet penetration rising from 81,49 percent in December 2024 to 82,87 percent, mobile penetration increasing from 102,26 percent to 104,83 percent, and geographic broadband coverage improving from 72,6 percent to 74,6 percent.
In the area of data protection and research, Potraz trained 691 data protection officers during the year, bringing the total trained since inception to 986.
The authority also issued 845 data controller licences, conducted awareness programmes for 37 institutions, produced six data protection guidelines, and generated 14 research papers to support evidence-based regulation.
Through these initiatives, Potraz continues to strengthen Zimbabwe’s digital landscape while promoting innovation, connectivity and inclusive access to information and communication technologies.
