Almot Maqolo, Staff Writer 
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)’s director general, Gift Machengete, has been named the second best-performing public sector CEO for 2025, adding to a string of recent accolades.
The telecoms regulator said Machengete’s recognition adds to his growing list of honours, including CEO of the Year (Regulatory) at the 2025 Africa CEO Roundtable awards and a Certificate of Recognition for Transformative Leadership from the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking.
He was also named Best Performing CEO in the Regulatory State-Owned Enterprises category for 2024.
The awards come as the regulator reported progress in expanding digital infrastructure and inclusion across the country. POTRAZ said more than 257,000 people accessed services at digital centres nationwide in 2025, with nearly 15,000 receiving ICT training.
The authority completed construction of 10 digital centres and refurbished 20 containerised facilities, while solar installations were rolled out to 48 sites to improve energy resilience.
In education, 259 learning institutions and 100 government ministries, departments and agencies were equipped with ICT tools, alongside the establishment of 167 school computer laboratories.
POTRAZ also highlighted initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide, including training for persons with disabilities and financial support for underprivileged university students.
A total of 286 people with disabilities received basic ICT training, with a further 69 trained at advanced level.
Sector performance indicators showed steady growth, with internet penetration rising to 82,87 percent and mobile penetration exceeding 104 percent, according to the regulator.
In cybersecurity and data governance, POTRAZ said it trained 691 data protection officers in 2025 and issued 845 data controller licences.
The authority was also recognised internationally, earning a nomination among Africa’s top four data protection authorities at the 2025 Piccaso Awards Africa.
Internally, senior officials were also honoured, including Director Legal Services Caecilia Nyamutswa, who received recognition from the International Telecommunication Union, and procurement head Never Apton, who won a national supply chain leadership award.
Looking ahead, POTRAZ said it will prioritise expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening innovation ecosystems and deepening inclusion in 2026.
Plans include rolling out targeted digital skills programmes, commissioning additional centres in underserved areas and scaling partnerships with academic and international institutions.
“The vision remains a digitally empowered, inclusive and innovation-driven Zimbabwe,” the regulator said in a statement.
