By Marshall Bwanya
HARARE — Information and Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister Tatenda Mavetera has ordered the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to tighten its grip on mobile network operators, improve internet affordability and strengthen safeguards against online fraud and child exploitation.
Mavetera set out five priority areas for the regulator, including universal broadband access, consumer protection, spectrum management, digital innovation and cybersecurity, as she addressed POTRAZ’s 10th annual general meeting in Harare on Friday.
“First, put universal, affordable and quality connectivity at the centre of regulation, and make digital inclusion real.
“POTRAZ must measure itself not only by licences issued or revenue collected, but by whether every Zimbabwean, rural or urban, can access reliable, affordable broadband.
“Set clear KPIs for coverage, quality of service, affordability and uptake, and publish progress quarterly,” she said.
Mavetera added: Through the Universal Service Fund, set explicit targets for connectivity in schools, clinics, chiefs’ courts, rural business centres and underserved communities.
“Address affordability for women, youth, persons with disabilities and low-income households.
“Digital inclusion must be a measurable regulatory outcome,” she said.
Mavetera called for tougher monitoring of dropped calls, internet speeds, network outages and billing complaints, directing the authority to publish comparative operator performance and take action against service providers that breach regulatory standards.
“Consumers must get value for money.
“Complaints about poor customer service, particularly from mobile network operators and other service providers, demand decisive regulatory attention,” Mavetera said.
Mavetera also directed POTRAZ to establish clear performance indicators for connectivity, service quality, affordability and uptake, with progress published quarterly.
She said the regulator must ensure that rural communities, schools, clinics, chiefs’ courts and rural business centres benefit from affordable and reliable broadband through the Universal Service Fund.
Mavetera called for infrastructure sharing, coordinated trenching, fibre open access and tower sharing to reduce operating costs and accelerate network expansion, particularly in underserved areas.
She also ordered telecommunications operators to strengthen network resilience, backup power, disaster preparedness and emergency communications, particularly in areas vulnerable to cyclones and drought.
On competition, Mavetera said POTRAZ must ensure transparent and efficient allocation of spectrum, tackle hoarding and prepare for wider deployment of 5G and future technologies.
She called for licensing reforms to encourage investment in mobile virtual network operators, satellite services, community networks and emerging digital business models, warning that dominant players must not stifle smaller operators and innovators.
The ongoing amendments to the Postal and Telecommunications Act could provide an opportunity to modernise the regulatory framework, clarify responsibilities and strengthen enforcement, subject to parliamentary consideration and the provisions ultimately enacted.
Mavetera also tasked POTRAZ with supporting innovation through regulatory sandboxes covering financial technology, the Internet of Things, digital health and digital agriculture.
She said the regulator must modernise postal services to support e-commerce, logistics and small businesses, while improving courier reliability, safety and competition.
With Zimbabwe chairing COMESA, Mavetera said POTRAZ should help reduce regional roaming costs, harmonise regulatory approaches and facilitate cross-border digital trade to position the country as a regional digital hub.
Cybersecurity and data protection also featured prominently, with the minister calling for stronger oversight of SIM registration, identity theft, digital fraud and the unlawful processing of personal information.
“The rise of AI, WhatsApp account hacking, identity theft and digital fraud demands stronger regulatory oversight.
“As the Data Protection Authority, POTRAZ must strengthen compliance monitoring, investigate unlawful processing of personal information and improve public awareness,” said.
Mavetera added: “United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasised thatAI should augment human potential rather than replace it.”
“Our approach must preserve human judgement, accountability and dignity,” she said.
Mavetera further urged POTRAZ to work with technology providers, schools, parents and other institutions to enforce the Child Online Protection Policy launched in July, with safeguards against online grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying and harmful content.
She said the country’s embrace of technology must not come at the expense of its cultural values and social fabric, while stressing the need to preserve human judgement, accountability and dignity as artificial intelligence expands.
Mavetera also called for stronger investment in innovation through incubation, mentorship and financing partnerships to help promising technologies move from development to practical deployment.
POTRAZ was directed to assign clear responsibilities, set implementation timelines and submit quarterly progress reports to the ministry on the five priority areas.
“At this 10th AGM, POTRAZ must now move from being a licensing authority to being a development regulator, one that measures success by connectivity, affordability, quality, inclusion and innovation.
“The private sector will invest; Government will enable; POTRAZ must regulate for results,” Mavetera said.
She commended POTRAZ and the Universal Service Fund for recording clean audits for 2025 and congratulated director-general Gift Machengete on being recognised as the second-best-performing chief executive in the regulatory state-owned enterprises category.
Mavetera also acknowledged POTRAZ’s support for the re-election of Sifundo Chief Moyo as secretary-general of the Pan African Postal Union and Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava as director of the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.
She urged continued diplomatic and technical engagement ahead of the ITU elections scheduled for Doha, Qatar, in November 2026.
Mavetera said the priorities should contribute to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 through the National Development Strategy 2, with measurable improvements in connectivity, affordability, service quality and digital inclusion.
