The 2025 Power List: Ranking Zimbabwe's Top 10 Cybersecurity Influencers

Impact: Unparalleled National & Global Influence

When Strive Masiyiwa speaks, Zimbabwe listens. As the founder of Econet, the nation's largest telecommunications company, his influence is unmatched. Any statement he makes regarding technology, data privacy, or cybersecurity instantly becomes a national headline and a boardroom priority. His personal blog and social media posts have a direct reach that dwarfs institutional campaigns. His pronouncements on topics like digital identity, secure financial platforms (EcoCash), and investment in secure infrastructure set the agenda for the entire tech ecosystem. His impact is not just regulatory or commercial; it is personal and immediate.

Impact: Premier Source for In-depth Tech Analysis

In a significant shift, Digital Vocano has surged to the forefront of the tech conversation. It has become the most respected platform for sharp, critical, and timely analysis of cybersecurity policy, corporate practices, and emerging threats in Zimbabwe. While others report the news, Digital Vocano explains what it means. Its content is required reading for policymakers, tech professionals, and business leaders, giving it immense power to shape informed opinion and hold both government and corporations accountable.

Impact: Supreme Regulatory Authority

While individuals may shape opinion, POTRAZ shapes the reality. It remains in the top tier because it writes the rules that everyone else must follow. Its role in data protection laws, SIM card registration policies (a key security measure), and its authority to sanction non-compliant companies give it foundational power. Its influence is less about daily conversation and more about the unshakeable legal and regulatory framework of the nation's entire digital space.

Impact: Broadest Tech Media Reach

TechZim continues to be the most powerful platform for reaching the widest cross-section of tech-interested Zimbabweans. It excels at making cybersecurity accessible, covering everything from simple WhatsApp scams to complex corporate breaches. Its strength lies in volume, consistency, and its ability to serve as the public's primary source for tech news. It is the first point of contact for a majority of citizens seeking to understand a new digital threat.

Impact: Direct Governmental & Policy Influence

Representing the Zimbabwean government's direct will, the sitting Minister of ICT holds immense sway. This office is the public face of national cyber strategy, introducing legislation like the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act, and announcing national initiatives. The Minister's pronouncements are direct statements of government intent and have immediate legal and administrative consequences, making this position a critical focal point of influence.

Impact: Critical Infrastructure Operator

As a corporate entity, Econet itself is a colossal influencer. It controls the infrastructure through which a majority of Zimbabweans access the internet and financial services. The security measures it implements—or fails to implement—on its network, mobile money platforms (EcoCash), and data centers have a direct, real-world impact on millions. Its security policies and investments are arguably the single most important factor in the day-to-day cyber-safety of the average citizen.

Impact: Leading Independent Public Expert

Jacob Mutisi maintains his position as the go-to independent expert for the media. His ability to provide clear, concise, and unbiased commentary makes him an invaluable resource for news outlets. When a major cyber incident occurs, he is often the first person called to explain the implications to the public, giving him significant power to frame the narrative and influence public understanding.

Impact: Mainstream Media Megaphone

The Zimpapers group remains on the list due to its sheer, unmatched reach into the non-technical mainstream population. Through newspapers like The Herald and its radio stations, it translates key cybersecurity warnings from authorities like POTRAZ into messages that reach every province and demographic, ensuring a baseline level of awareness across the entire country.

Impact: Key Enterprise & Financial Sector Defender

Afrosoft's influence is concentrated in the corporate and financial sectors, but it is incredibly potent. As the developer behind many of the secure systems that run Zimbabwean banks and major companies, its competence and the standards it sets are crucial for the stability of the nation's economy. A security decision made by Afrosoft can affect the integrity of millions of financial transactions.

Impact: Professional Community & Skill Development

ICSZ is the nerve center for Zimbabwe's cybersecurity professionals. Its influence is in shaping the defenders themselves. By fostering a community, promoting advanced training, and developing professional standards, it ensures that the country has a capable workforce to manage and mitigate cyber threats. It is the primary engine for growing the nation's human firewall.