POTRAZ Crowned Africa’s Top Data Protection Regulator at PICCASO Awards 2026

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has achieved a major international milestone, being named the Most Outstanding Data Protection Authority at the prestigious PICCASO Awards Africa 2026.

The victory was announced during a gala ceremony on 5 November 2026 at the Lagos Continental Hotel in Nigeria, marking the second edition of the awards after its 2025 debut in Ghana. POTRAZ secured the top prize after competing against a formidable shortlist of regulatory authorities from eight African nations, including South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Somalia.

The accolade highlights Zimbabwe’s transition from enacting privacy legislation to establishing a fully operational, enforcement-driven regulatory framework.

The award panel cited key operational metrics that demonstrated POTRAZ’s hands-on approach to digital governance, the first being 2,500+ data controllers licensed across the country, 1,500+ Data Protection Officers trained and certified, 15+ implementation guidelines published for compliance clarity and 195+ enforcement notices issued to protect personal data.

These benchmarks underscore POTRAZ’s work in building the institutional capacity, technical skills, and public awareness required to enforce data protection rights effectively in a rapidly digitizing economy.

Director General Dr. Gift Kallisto Machengete praised the recognition as a shared success for POTRAZ and the nation. He emphasized that the Authority has worked to evolve from a traditional regulatory gatekeeper into an enabling institution that fosters trust, compliance, and technological innovation.

Dr. Machengete commended the Data Protection Directorate, led by Director Tsitsi Mariwo for its relentless work rate, while extending gratitude to the POTRAZ Board, chaired by Prof. Sam Takavarasha (Jnr), for establishing the strategic vision behind the initiative.

Beyond institutional prestige, the award provides strategic advantages for Zimbabwe’s broader economic landscape such as investor confidence, citizen trust and continental leadership.

By outperforming peer authorities across Africa, POTRAZ positions Zimbabwe to influence regional policy, set standards for data privacy, and share best practices across the continent.

This victory validates Zimbabwe’s ongoing investments in modernizing its legal and digital infrastructure.