By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
VICTORIA FALLS — Zimbabwe is training over 10,000 young citizens in ethical hacking and cyber-defence, transforming a potential national vulnerability into what officials describe as “a national export opportunity.”
The revelation came during the 2nd Africa Preparatory Meeting for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Victoria Falls, where Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Hon. Dingimuzi Phuti outlined Zimbabwe’s newly completed National Cybersecurity Strategy.
“Cyber threats are borderless,” the Deputy Minister stated, delivering Minister Hon. Tatenda Mavetera‘s keynote address. “Zimbabwe has completed a comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy that protects our digital assets, critical infrastructure and citizens’ data.”
The training programme, which targets young Zimbabweans across the country’s ten provinces, is already underway.
Participants are being equipped with skills to identify system vulnerabilities, defend against ransomware attacks, and conduct authorised penetration testing.
What makes the initiative unusual is its dual purpose. While the primary goal is securing Zimbabwe’s own digital infrastructure, government officials have signalled that certified ethical hackers could eventually offer services regionally and internationally.
“We are turning a vulnerability into a national export opportunity,” Minister Mavetera’s address read.
The Cybersecurity Strategy forms part of a broader digital policy architecture that also includes the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030) and a pending Child Online Protection Policy.
For Zimbabwe’s youth, the programme offers a pathway into a high-demand global field. According to industry estimates, the global cybersecurity market is expected to exceed US$300 billion by 2030, with Africa currently importing most of its cyber-defence expertise.
By training its own specialists, Zimbabwe hopes to retain talent that might otherwise seek opportunities abroad while potentially earning foreign currency through regional cybersecurity contracts.
The initiative also aligns with continental efforts to secure Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
As more African nations digitise government services, banking, and commerce, demand for locally based cybersecurity expertise is expected to surge.
Training is being conducted through a partnership between the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, higher education institutions, and private sector cybersecurity firms. Graduates of the programme will receive internationally recognised certifications, allowing them to compete for contracts both at home and across Africa.
The full Cybersecurity Strategy is expected to be publicly released in the coming months, with implementation targets extending through 2028.
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