POSTAL and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Dr Gift Machengete (pictured) has added another accolade to his growing list of achievements.
He was recently named the Second Best Performing Public Sector CEO for 2025 at the Presidential Performance Awards, further cementing his reputation as a leader synonymous with excellence.
Dr. Machengete’s recognition continues a streak of honours.
In 2025 alone, he was named CEO of the Year (Regulatory) at the Africa CEO Roundtable Awards and received the Certificate of Recognition for Transformative Leadership from the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking.
A year earlier, he was recognised as the Best Performing CEO in the Regulatory SOEs Category for 2024.
Under his leadership, Potraz has been celebrated for innovation, digital inclusion, and regulatory excellence. Among his key achievements in 2025 are:
lCybersecurity Initiative of the Year and Best in ICT Inclusion for People with Disabilities at the Zimbabwe ICT Excellence Awards.
lNomination as one of the top four outstanding data protection authorities in Africa at the Piccaso Awards Africa.
lIndividual staff recognition, including Caecilia Nyamutswa (director legal services), Never Apton (deputy director — procurement), and Komborerai Maninji (advocacy and training officer).
Key achievements for 2025
lA total of 257 202 people visited and utilised services and resources provided in the digital centres across the country.
lA total of 14 925 patrons were trained at the digital centres across the country.
lConstruction of 10 digital centres completed.
l20 containerised digital centres refurbished.
l259 learning institutions resourced with ICT gadgets
l100 ministries, departments and agencies resourced with ICT gadgets
lSolar installations completed at two digital centres, bringing the total to 48 solar-powered centres nationwide
lFinancial support provided to 40 underprivileged university students across State universities, covering tuition, accommodation, stipends, and data allowances.
l30 innovators trained under the Generate Your Business Idea module.
lConducted various national innovation initiatives, including grant disbursements to 52 innovators as well as training and mentoring programmes to 30 innovators.
lZiG6 million paid for internet bandwidth to keep centres operational. Also supported the operationalisation of digital centres through salary disbursements for digital centre agents and security guards
l167 school computer laboratories established, significantly expanding digital learning access.
l720 schools equipped with laptops to enable digital examination registration.
l286 PWDs trained in basic ICT skills and 69 PWDs in advanced ICT skills.
l30 institutions supporting PWDs equipped with ICT gadgets.
l13 tower relocation projects funded to extend telecommunications coverage.
lAll metrics for measuring sector performance were on a positive growth trajectory, with Internet penetration rate rising from 81,49% in December 2024 to the current 82,87%, mobile penetration rising from 102,26% to 104,83%, and geographic broadband coverage rising from 72,6% to the current 74,6%.
lCompleted multiple national ICT research and innovation initiatives, including high-level studies, publications, and symposiums.
lA total of 691 data protection officers (DPOs) were trained during the year, bringing the total number of trained DPOs since inception to 986.
lIssued 845 data controller licences
lConducted data protection training and awareness sessions for 37 institutions
lSix data protection guidelines were produced
l14 Research papers produced to advance evidence-based regulation.
Looking ahead, Potraz will build on these successes in 2026, deepening digital transformation, expanding access, strengthening capacity, and fostering innovation and inclusion nationwide. -newsda
