Mavetera Urges Privacy By Default

By Colleta Bell

Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Honourable Tatenda Mavetera has called for privacy to be embedded in digital systems by default, warning that public trust is key to Africa’s digital economic growth.

Speaking at the 3rd National Data Privacy Symposium in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Mavetera said privacy must be integrated into system design to ensure meaningful consent and user confidence.

The symposium, held under the theme “Privacy as the Default: A Foundation for Trust and Innovation in a Digitally Enabled Economy,” has drawn delegates from across Africa, including South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia.

Mavetera said Zimbabwe has been recognised within the Southern African region for its data protection efforts, with priorities including stronger regulatory frameworks, cross-border cooperation, and improved digital literacy.

At the event, 215 participants were certified as Data Protection Officers, bringing the total to over 1,000. The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe continues to oversee implementation of the Cyber and Data Protection Act.

She added that Zimbabwe’s National AI Strategy promotes ethical innovation, noting that privacy should support, not hinder, technological progress.

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