Zimbabwe Expands Digital Security Framework Amid Growing Online Threats
Hon. Mavetera stressed that cyber fraud does not only cause financial loss but also undermines public trust, which is essential for sustained digital transformation, calling for collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and citizens to secure the country’s digital future.
At the Cyber Fraud & AI Conference held in Nyanga, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera highlighted the growing risks posed by cybercrime amid rapid digital transformation, warning that the same technologies driving economic growth are increasingly being exploited by criminals.
The Minister noted that cyber fraud has become a significant national and continental challenge, with mobile money fraud in Zimbabwe exceeding US$30 million annually and phishing attacks rising by over 40%. Across Africa, he added, digital crimes are estimated to cost the continent more than US$4 billion each year, posing a serious threat to trust in digital financial systems and broader economic stability.
He emphasized that cybercriminals are now using advanced tools such as deepfake voice cloning, automated phishing systems, and adaptive malware, making traditional security approaches increasingly ineffective. According to him, the expansion of internet access and digital financial services has further widened the attack surface, increasing vulnerability.
To address these threats, the government is implementing a series of interventions, including the near-completion of a National Security Operations Centre and the establishment of a Computer Incident Response Team. A key initiative, the Zimbabwe AI Cyber Shield, is expected to launch within 12 months as an AI-driven fraud detection platform aimed at strengthening national cybersecurity defenses.
Additional measures include training 10,000 cybersecurity professionals, rolling out nationwide digital skills programs, and introducing new legislation to criminalize the misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly in relation to deepfakes and identity fraud. The government is also finalizing a National Cybersecurity Strategy and implementing a broader National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030) to ensure ethical AI adoption and stronger digital resilience.
Hon. Mavetera stressed that cyber fraud does not only cause financial loss but also undermines public trust, which is essential for sustained digital transformation, calling for collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and citizens to secure the country’s digital future.
