DIGITAL PRIVACY REGULATIONSThe Worldwide Register of Data Privacy Law
Tracking 197 jurisdictions
Language: English
Sub-Saharan Africa · In force · Opt-in

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Data Privacy Laws

Zimbabwe's 2021 Act designates telecom regulator POTRAZ as DPA; 2024 regulations added DPO licensing, an unusual requirement worth flagging for local operations.

Updated September 28, 2026 · digitalprivacyregs.com
Status
In force
Consent model
Opt-in
Primary law
Data Protection Act 2021 (Cyber and Data Protection Act)
Year
2021
Authority
POTRAZ (as Data Protection Authority)
Marketing consent
Consent or listed bases; DPO licensing rules issued 2024.
Transfers
Transfers abroad need an adequate destination or the authority's authorization.
Penalties
The law provides for fines and criminal penalties.

The framework

Zimbabwe regulates personal data through the Data Protection Act 2021 (Cyber and Data Protection Act), supervised by the POTRAZ.

For advertisers the consent posture matters most, and Zimbabwe sits in the opt-in bloc, where tracking and outreach need permission up front.

Key instruments

Data Protection Act 2021 (Cyber and Data Protection Act)

2021 · In force

Zimbabwe's 2021 Act designates telecom regulator POTRAZ as DPA; 2024 regulations added DPO licensing, an unusual requirement worth flagging for local operations.

Marketing and advertising

Consent or listed bases; DPO licensing rules issued 2024. Most channel decisions here follow from that consent rule.

Cross-border transfers

Transfers abroad need an adequate destination or the authority's authorization.

Enforcement and penalties

The law provides for fines and criminal penalties. A ceiling means little until the authority uses it, so its docket is the better guide.

Cite this page: "Zimbabwe Data Privacy Laws." Digital Privacy Regulations, September 28, 2026, https://digitalprivacyregs.com/zimbabwe.html. Accessed [date].