The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is intensifying its efforts to combat cybercrime by recommending that the government enforce compulsory registration of mobile phone handsets.
This proposed initiative would require all SIM card users to register their devices in an effort to enhance the security of digital transactions across the nation.
Engineer Hasha Myambo, POTRAZ’s Manager for Competition and Standards, addressed stakeholders, highlighting the importance of establishing a Central Equipment Identification Database (CEID).
According to him, this system would complement the current SIM card registration process and serve as a deterrent to criminal activities involving mobile devices.
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“With this system in place, stolen or lost phones could be quickly blacklisted and blocked from connecting to any local mobile networks,” Myambo stated. He warned that without such a system, mobile users remain vulnerable in an economy that is rapidly embracing digital technologies.
POTRAZ is currently in consultations with telecom operators and other ICT stakeholders to develop policy frameworks that are in line with international best practices.
Myambo underlined the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a comprehensive national ICT security strategy that promotes both innovation and economic strength.
The push for handset registration marks a strategic pivot for the regulatory body from relying on conventional oversight methods to fostering a more collaborative approach focused on strengthening digital confidence and supporting a secure, competitive tech ecosystem.
