Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services
Ministry of I.C.T, Postal and Courier Services
Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services
Director General - POTRAZ
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)
Dr Gift Machengete is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe, holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. He also obtained a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply from Harare Polytechnic, demonstrating a diverse educational foundation. Driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Cross University in Australia. His commitment to academic excellence culminated in a Doctorate in Business Administration from the same university, where he graduated with distinction and was awarded the University Plaque for outstanding achievement. Dr Machengete’s_ _career spans four decades. He commenced his journey in 1981 as an Assistant Magistrate, 1985 as a Research Economist. In 1991 he was deployed to China as the EconomicCounsellor at the Zimbabwe Embassy. Between 1995 and 2001, he served as a Senior Economist and Head of Planning and Coordination in the Government of Zimbabwe. In 2001, he was posted to Malaysia, where he served as Deputy Ambassador. In January 2006, he took on the role of Assistant Director for Planning and Coordination in the President's Department. In the same year, he was promoted to Deputy Director Administration and later elevated to the position of Director Administration in 2011. In 2016, he retired as Deputy Director General, before assuming the office of Director General at POTRAZ. In 2021, he received the Zimbabwe Institute of Management Businessman of the Year award. As Director General of POTRAZ, he has represented Zimbabwe with utmost distinction on the global stage. At the national level, he has tirelessly pursued the goal of connecting the unconnected population. He is also a distinguished academic, having been one of the first lecturers for the Masters in Business Leadership Degree program at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), where he taught Research Methodology. Dr Machengete has made significant contributions to various boards and councils, including the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Chimanimani Logistics, and Sino Zimbabwe. He served as the Chairman of the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) Governing Council from March 2018 to February 2019 and is past Chairman of the Communications Regulators' Association for Southern Africa (CRASA). Dr Machengete is the Vice Board Chairman of Zimpapers and is also a Board member of the Innovation Alliance of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Managing Director
Compulink Holdings
Simon Nyamuda is the Managing Director of Compulink Holdings one of Zimbabwe’s most successful ICT companies. Simon was appointed the Managing Director in 2013.Under Simon’s guidance and leadership Compulink have been conferred with numerous business awards and accolades from institutions such as Cisco Systems, Megafest Holdings, Small to Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Cyber Security Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe CEO’s Network. Most recently Compulink received the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network Cyber Security Gold Winner and the Institute of Cyber Security Zimbabwe (ICSZ) Cyber Security Software Company of the Year awards in 2024. In his personal capacity Simon has received awards and recognitions from Cisco Systems, Institute of Directors of Zimbabwe (IoDZ), Institute of Corporate Directors of Zimbabwe (ICDZ), Zimbabwe CEO’s Network and Megafest Holdings. Most recently Simon received the Outstanding Young CEO - Gold Winner Award at the Business Excellence and Young CEO Awards. Simon serves on the executive committee of the ICT Suppliers Association of Zimbabwe (ICTAZ) and previously served as the Chairman of the committee. Simon carries a strong conviction that properly deployed ICT solutions can transform business process efficiencies, boost productivity, grow revenues, and create value that will empower businesses and organisations, and help accelerate Africa’s journey to becoming a full digital economy. Simon is an active philanthropist and has a passion to see the lives of others positively impacted through the use of technology.
Group CEO
MorniPac Consultants
Dr Whisper Rukanda is the Group CEO of MorniPac International and COO of MorniPac Digital Forensics. The MorniPac parent holding company is Planet Waves 175 Private Limited, registered in 2006 in Johannesburg RSA. MorniPac Investments was registered in Zimbabwe in 2001. MorniPac is the centre for Advisory, Cyber Security Audit and Digital Forensics, Forensic Auditing and Assurance, Investigations and advisory, headquartered in South Africa with branches in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Namibia. With more than 30 years of experience as a systems, computer security and forensics expert, Dr Rukanda has worked with a number of blue chip South African organisations as well as organisations in USA, UK, Mozambique, Botswana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Ghana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Lithuania, India, China and Lesotho. His experience and exposure in business management is split among operations, general management, forensics, cyber security and systems review and strategy formulation. Dr Rukanda has contributed significantly to survival and profitability of organisations through organisational health checks, cyber security maturity assessments, digital transformation advisory, digital strategy assessment, formulation of strategic policies and plans that provide direction and vision in line with business flexibility, stability, growth and development. Dr Rukanda has conducted specific investigatory work and, in some cases, provided expert and opinion evidence. He has worked on identification of key client business issues, determining client needs, evaluating and validatinganalysis and the development of recommendations Dr Rukanda is a mentor, strategist, advisor, seasoned facilitator and ICT examiner for universities and other professional bodies. He served on numerous organizations' boards and professional bodies. . In addition, he is skilled at designing and implementing business systems frameworks as well as designing applications that automate processes., has hands on experience in preparation of user requirements, RFP through to tenders administration and implementation and turnkey solutions deployment. Dr Rukanda is a Certified Project Manager, Certified Trainer, Certified Forensic Examiner (CFE), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Fraud Auditor (CFA), Certified Digital Forensic Expert (CDGE). He holds a Doctorate in Information Systems and Technology, a Masters in Business Leadership, a Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology, A Master of Science in Managing Complex Projects and a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree., Diploma in Forensic Accounting, Diploma in Project Management and 7 other Diplomas in areas of Forensics and other Business and leadership related areas.
CEO & Founder
Tofara Online Trust
Tofara Lindsay Chokera is a multi-award-winning digital transformation leader, innovator, and changemaker passionately driving digital inclusion across Africa. She is the CEO and Founder of Tofara Online Trust, a pioneering digital skills and innovation consultancy that empowers women, youth, and MSMEs to embrace technology for business and career growth. A TechWomen Fellow (2023) and internationally recognized Digital Champion for Small Businesses (awarded by ITC, WTO, ICC, with sponsorship from Google andZoom), Tofara’s impact extends across global stages. She has spoken at the United Nations General Assembly, World Government Summit in Dubai, Transform Africa Summit, and has been honored by UN Women through the EQUALS in Tech Award (2022) for her leadership in digital entrepreneurship. With 15 years of experience as an Information Systems and Technology Engineer, she now leads Zimbabwe’s community of tech-driven entrepreneurs and serves as an Associate Trainer and Consultant for ZimTrade. Tofara is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional (DMI, Ireland) and a respected personal branding and career development expert. Despite being a self-described introvert, Tofara is a bold digital voice and fearless advocate for inclusive innovation. She is driven by a mission to empower women and underserved communities with the digital skills they need to thrive in today’s economy.
Digital Technology Services
Baker Tilly Central Africa
Mr Cade Zvavanjanja - Baker Tilly Central Africa - Partner - Digital Technology Services
Deputy Director of Research, Innovation 5.0
Arrupe Jesuit University
Eng. Prudence Kadebu, a member of ZIE, CSZ, IEEE, and ACM, serves in the Innovation Drive Assessment Committee of POTRAZ, the Executive Committee of FAWEZI, Vice-Chairperson of ZICT and also founding Trustee of ZCICT and Women in Academia. She is an academic, and tech visionary, dedicated to exploring emerging technologies and their inherent risks. Particularly, she is passionate about Technology Translation and child online safety. She endeavors to shift the attention of young people from indulging in illicit exploits to focusing on technology development and exploration that is beneficial. Her research interests span AI & Machine Learning, Software Security Engineering, Cybersecurity, IoT, and Extended Reality. Prudence is a strategic thinker who has been formerly the pioneering head of both the Software Engineering Department at the Harare Institute of Technology and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Zimbabwe. Before joining academia, she was a Systems Support Analyst at Africansun Pvt Ltd. She has received many awards for leading in advancing ICT Education and also a Techwomen Fellowship (2018) granted by the Institute of International Education under the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. She was mentored in Project Management at X (formerly Twitter) San Francisco in USA. Her qualifications include a BSc (Hons) Computer Science, MTech Software Engineering and awaits conferment of Ph.D. in Computer Science Engineering from Amity University Haryana, India. She is currently the Deputy Director of Research and Innovation at Arrupe Jesuit University.
Managing Director – Frampol Africa | ICT Strategist | AI & Connectivity Advocate
Frampol
Neil Padmore is the Managing Director and founder of Frampol Africa, a leading Internet and Managed Service Provider headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe. With a career in ICT that spans almost 30 years, Neil is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a respected voice in the fields of enterprise IT, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. Since establishing Frampol in 2004, Neil has grown the business to a national footprint, now servicing clients across industries with solutions that include internet connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, software development and AI consultancy. He has led Frampol’s expansion into AI-driven customer engagement, and more recently into satellite internet services through a strategic partnership with Starlink, supported by the development of a proprietary client monitoring platform for ISPs. Neil is particularly passionate about helping organizations bridge the digital divide by implementing scalable, efficient, and future-ready ICT systems. His leadership is defined by a deep technical understanding balanced with a strategic view of how ICT can drive meaningful outcomes in both the private and public sectors. Beyond business, Neil, speaks Shona is learning Ndebele, is a licensed private pilot and a strong advocate for lifelong learning, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership in technology.
Managing Director
Telco Broadband & Beyond
Dumisani is the Managing Director of Telecontract (popularly known as Telco), a multi- generational family business and provider of telecommunications services founded in 1991. Since its incorporation, Telco has successfully built a network of extensive optic fibre infrastructure for the provision of internet-based communication services through its Points of Presence (POPs) in 23 of Zimbabwe’s major cities and towns. Over the years, Telco has expanded its services offering, pioneering a comprehensive range of digital transformation services that empower businesses to thrive in a digital age, and actively contributing to climate action with its wide range of smart solar solutions. Dumisani has over 20 years of telecommunications experience within the Southern African region in markets that include South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. She was a founding member of the South African Telecommunications Service Providers Association in 2010 and played a critical role in the establishment of the Blockchain Association of Zimbabwe in 2017. She currently serves as a member of the secretariat of the Zimbabwe Internet Access Providers Association and is a multi-award-winning industry operator. Dumisani holds an MBA, awarded with distinction, from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (University of Pretoria), and a Bachelor of Business Science in Information Systems (Honours) from the prestigious University of Cape Town.
ICT Manager
Medicines Controls Authority of Zimbabwe
Ezekiel is an experienced ICT professional in Systems Development and Digital Transformation. He has held numerous ICT Leadership positions and has been part of the Executive Committees of a number of institutions; these include heading the ICT Departments of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency and Akribos Financial Investments. Ezekiel also seats on the Board of the Motor Industry Pension (MIPF) Fund, Chief Information Systems Alliance (CISA) Zimbabwe Board, and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe Pensions Board. He was also one of the founding directors of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange. Prior to all these local accomplishments, Ezekiel started off his career in Kenya and spent over two years as a Systems Engineer with Seven Seas Technologies. He has been instrumental on digital transformation consultancies, having done work for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Digital transformation initiatives under the African Development Bank (AFDB), Consultancies for the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ), and numerous United Nations funded consultancies on Digital Health transformation, amongst other institutions. Ezekiel holds over 30 certifications and accreditations from Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, VMware, IBM, EMC as well as a Masters and BSc in Information Systems Management. Abstract Ezekiel has worked on numerous projects on digital health mostly funded by the UNDP , these include the development of health National Dashboard for the MoHCC , Mobile Applications , Monitoring and Evaluation Systems as well as USSD platforms in the health industry . He was also instrumental in designing systems that lead to MCAZ attaining the World Health Organization Global Benchmarking Tool Maturity Level 3 . Innovation and Technological advancements will lead to efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of health products and services in the Country
Chairman AI Institute Africa
CEO/Founder Rubiem
Dr Dennis Magaya is the Chairman of Artificial Intelligence Institute Africa (Aiia), a non- profit organization advancing AI use for the benefit of humanity. He is the CEO / Founder of rubiem, is a pan-African Digital Transformation Consultancy and AI solutions company. He holds a BSc Engineering, MSc Engineering, MBA, Diploma IT, PhD and is registered engineer (PrEng). Dr Magaya is a leading digital transformation strategist and AI expert in Southern Africa. He has worked in various countries and sectors in SADC region.
Executive Director of Information and Communication Technology
Chinhoyi University of Technology
Dr. Chinofunga serves as the Executive Director of ICT at Chinhoyi University of Technology, where he leads the institution’s digital transformation efforts with distinction. He holds a PhD in Information and Communication Technology from Binary University in Malaysia, specializing in Sustainable Digital Transformation and Data Management. His academic credentials also include an MSc in Information Systems from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe and a BSc (Honors) in Information Systems from Midlands State University in Zimbabwe. In addition to his formal qualifications, Dr. Chinofunga has earned a range of professional certifications, including Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) 10g and 11g, Internal Controls Management, CCNA, Linux Administration, and Big Data Analytics. A recognized authority in ICT, he has presented at forums such as the Ubuntunet Alliance and Association of African Universities (AAU) on topics including Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence, Digital University Systems and Automated Registry Workspaces. Dr. Chinofunga is highly regarded for his expertise in systems automation and ICT governance and is frequently consulted by regional universities for strategic guidance. A strong advocate for digital innovation and artificial intelligence adoption, he actively promotes the integration of cutting-edge technologies in academia and the corporate sector. In 2024, Dr. Chinofunga was honored by the President of the Computer Society of Zimbabwe and received the prestigious award for Transforming Societies Using Digital Technologies. He also serves as Chairperson of the Zimbabwe University ICT Directors Association (ZITCA), where he provides leadership on ICT strategies in higher education. A passionate advocate for cybersecurity, Dr. Chinofunga is a Certified Data Protection Officer and actively engages in public discussions and initiatives aimed at advancing Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act (Act 5 of 2021). His commitment to digital transformation extends beyond professional spheres, as he is also a motivational speaker who inspires others to embrace ICT for sustainable development.
Deputy Director of Research, Innovation 5.0
Arrupe Jesuit University
Eng. Prudence Kadebu, a member of ZIE, CSZ, IEEE, and ACM, serves in the Innovation Drive Assessment Committee of POTRAZ, the Executive Committee of FAWEZI, Vice- Chairperson of ZICT and also founding Trustee of ZCICT and Women in Academia. She is an academic, and tech visionary, dedicated to exploring emerging technologies and their inherent risks. Particularly, she is passionate about Technology Translation and child online safety. She endeavors to shift the attention of young people from indulging in illicit exploits to focusing on technology development and exploration that is beneficial. Her research interests span AI & Machine Learning, Software Security Engineering, Cybersecurity, IoT, and Extended Reality. Prudence is a strategic thinker who has been formerly the pioneering head of both the Software Engineering Department at the Harare Institute of Technology and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Zimbabwe. Before joining academia, she was a Systems Support Analyst at Africansun Pvt Ltd. She has received many awards for leading in advancing ICT Education and also a Techwomen Fellowship (2018) granted by the Institute of International Education under the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. She was mentored in Project Management at X (formerly Twitter) San Francisco in USA. Her qualifications include a BSc (Hons) Computer Science, MTech Software Engineering and awaits conferment of Ph.D. in Computer Science Engineering from Amity University Haryana, India. She is currently the Deputy Director of Research and Innovation at Arrupe Jesuit University.
STEM Lady Holdings
STEM Lady Holdings
Recognized as one of the 40 under 40 young business leaders in Zimbabwe in 2025 by Institution of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe Sicelo Dube is a passionate scientist and entrepreneur with a Master of Science Degree in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology from the National University of Science and Technology (Zimbabwe) and an MBA from University of Gloucestershire (UK). Sicelo is an award winning Young African Leader Initiative fellow (YALI) under Education and recognized by Unesco, Loreal Foundation and the government of Zimbabwe as a girl in STEM leadership champion. Sicelo is a Women Advancing Africa in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) thus affectionately known as the STEM Lady. The STEMLady is an innovator, educator and entrepreneur equipped with good communication and leadership skills. She is driven to make a positive change in her community. She has over 10 years’ experience of running businesses and seats in a number of advisory boards as well as the United Nati
Effectiveness Manager
ZB Financial Holdings
Persistence Takudzwa Jaure is an accomplished Effectiveness Manager with a BSc in Management Information Systems and over 10 years of experience in the banking and finance sectors. He began his career in retail banking, where he developed a strong foundation in customer service and financial operations. Following this, Persistence spent 2.5 years in Central Cash, specializing in cash management, before moving into International Business Trade and Finance for 3.5 years, where he gained valuable insights into global markets. He then dedicated 3 years to systems and business support, streamlining operational processes to enhance efficiency.In the last 2 years, Persistence has focused on driving innovation, leading initiatives that integrate technology to elevate service delivery and customer engagement. His diverse expertise and commitm
AI Integration Expert | Entrepreneur | Real Estate Innovator | Educator
AI Integration Expert
Nathan Takunda Rukanda is a respected expert in artificial intelligence integration, digital entrepreneurship, and data privacy advocacy across Africa. As Managing Director of Carestem Ltd, he leads the development of intelligent business solutions that enhance efficiency and security in the digital age. Beyond tech, Nathan is also shaping the serviced accommodation sector through smart, tech-driven hospitality solutions. A passionate educator and global speaker, he has equipped thousands with future-ready skills in AI, cybersecurity, and innovation. Nathan is dedicated to empowering young professionals to lead Africa’s digital and economic transformation with purpose and integrity.
