By Loyd Matare
Zimbabwe’s data watchdog has licensed 255 new Data Controllers, pushing the total number of compliant organisations to 831, as the regulator intensified pressure on thousands of entities still operating outside the law.
The licences were handed over yesterday at Rainbow Towers in Harare during the 2nd Data Controller Licence Handover Ceremony and the 6th Data Protection Officer (DPO) Certification.
Speaking at the ceremony, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Director-General Gift Kalisto Machengete said the new licences mark a major step in strengthening national data compliance.
“These licences bring the total number of compliant controllers to 831, while over 3,000 entities remain non-compliant,” he said.
“We will bring them into the compliance fold either by persuasion or through sanction.”
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Machengete warned that POTRAZ will publish a list of non-compliant organisations in the third quarter of 2026 as a final warning before full penalties are imposed.
“We will hand-hold, but by the end of the road, sanctions will apply to those who fail to comply,” he said.
ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera (pictured) said the licensing programme is a key pillar in safeguarding citizens’ digital rights.
“Data is the lifeblood of the modern economy, but with great power comes great responsibility,” said Mavetera.
“Licensed Data Controllers are now guardians of trust for every Zimbabwean in the digital space.”
She also commended POTRAZ for building local capacity through DPO training.
“The DPO certification programme is now a flagship course admired across SADC and Africa,” Mavetera said, adding that Zimbabwe recently earned continental recognition at privacy awards held in Ghana.
POTRAZ revealed that 985 DPOs have been trained to date, 24 cross-border data transfers have been authorised, and nationwide compliance inspections are now underway.
