Where we work · Zimbabwe
ISO and GRC certification consulting in Zimbabwe
Achieve ISO and GRC certification in Zimbabwe with Sterling: 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries, 20+ years.
- 21 standards, one team
- Accredited certification route
- Johannesburg office team
- Effivity and Academy included
Sectors that ask for certification in Zimbabwe
Clients include
ISO and GRC certification in Zimbabwe at a glance
Zimbabwe gives its data protection job to the telecoms regulator. The Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] designates the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, POTRAZ, as the Data Protection Authority, and its 2024 regulations require organisations that decide how personal data is used to hold a data controller licence and name a data protection officer. Banks and payment providers answer to the Reserve Bank's Cybersecurity and Resilience Guideline, which cites ISO/IEC 27001 as a benchmark. The Medicines Control Authority supervises health products, the Environmental Management Agency asks for an impact assessment certificate before listed projects start, and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority covers the energy sector. Mining, agriculture, financial services, health products and telecoms generate most enquiries. No national accreditation body exists; SADCAS serves Zimbabwe, and any certificate is issued by an accredited certification body rather than by Sterling. From Sterling's Johannesburg office, Sterling's consultants support organisations across the country, visiting where the work demands it and working remotely otherwise, drawing on 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries, with Effivity and Sterling Academy included.
ISO and GRC standards Sterling delivers in Zimbabwe
Each card opens Sterling's guide to the standard: what it requires, how certification or compliance works and what sets the time and cost.
Quality & operational excellence
Information security, cyber & cloud
Privacy & data protection
AI governance & digital trust
Environment, energy & climate
Health & safety
Governance, risk & resilience
Financial services, payments & AML
Food safety & agriculture
Healthcare, medical devices & life sciences
Laboratories, inspection & accreditation
Automotive, aerospace, rail & defence
Construction, energy, oil & gas
Regulators and laws that drive certification in Zimbabwe (12)
| Law or regulator | What it asks for | Standards it cites |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), designated as the Data Protection Authority by section 5; section 6 lists its functions, including receiving and investigating complaints, and says it is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority in the lawful exercise of its functions under the Act | Applies to processing and storage of data wholly or partly by automated means, including by a controller not permanently established in Zimbabwe whose means are located there, who must designate a representative. Sets quality-of-data and fair and lawful processing rules, consent for personal data and written consent for sensitive data, controller duties, data subject rights to be informed, to access, to object, to correction and to deletion, security and processor contracts, notification of a security breach to the Authority within twenty-four hours, notification of processing and a public register, accountability, a right not to be subject to solely automated decisions, rules on children, restrictions on transfer outside Zimbabwe, codes of conduct approved by the Authority, offences and an appeal to the Administrative Court. | |
| Cyber and Data Protection (Licensing of Data Controllers and Appointment of Data Protection Officers) Regulations, 2024 (Statutory Instrument 155 of 2024) Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) | Requires a data controller licence for anyone who decides the means or purpose of processing, decides what personal data is collected or from whom, or processes personal information for commercial gain, with licence tiers set by the number of data subjects and exemptions for personal or household affairs, law enforcement and journalistic, historical or archival purposes. Obliges controllers to notify the Authority of processing activities, planned transfers outside Zimbabwe and biometric or genetic processing, to appoint a data protection officer with relevant skills who completes an Authority-approved certification course, to protect children's data with regular impact assessments, to secure data and keep the ability to restore access, to report breaches to the Authority within twenty-four hours using a prescribed form and to keep a breach record. POTRAZ maintains a register of licensed and registered controllers open to inspection. | |
| POTRAZ implementation guidelines on cross-border transfer of personal information (CDPG 5 of 2024) and on data breach notification and handling Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) | The cross-border guideline says a controller may not transfer personal data abroad without first notifying the Authority, and sets out an impact assessment submitted with the notification, express consent of the data subject after being told the destination and safeguards, a showing that the destination gives adequate protection, organisational and technical measures, and a data-sharing agreement with the recipient. The breach guideline lists causes and examples of breaches, security factors to weigh, processor engagement and the need for a data breach response plan. | |
| Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Banks, microfinance institutions, other regulated financial institutions and payment system providers: cybersecurity | Cybersecurity and Resilience Guideline (August 2025) — issued under the Banking Act (Chapter 24:20), the Microfinance Act (Chapter 24:30) and the National Payment Systems Act (Chapter 24:23); applies to banking institutions, non-bank financial institutions, controlling companies, payment system providers and other entities regulated by the Bank; asks for a board-approved cybersecurity policy designed against benchmarks that include ISO/IEC 27001, names ISO 27001 and ISO 20000-1 as examples for an information security management system, covers business continuity and disaster recovery, third-party service provider management and incident reporting, and includes a self-assessment appendix and reporting templates. | ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 20000-1 |
| Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) Manufacturers, importers and distributors of medicines, allied substances and medical devices | Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act [Chapter 15:03] — MCAZ describes itself as a statutory body responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring that medicines, allied substances and medical devices are safe, effective and of good quality, through enforcement of adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors; its site runs online services for import and export authorisations and premises and person licences, publishes a medicines register and guidelines on traceability for medical products, and describes a laboratory that analyses oral dosage forms, sterile injectables and active pharmaceutical ingredients. | |
| Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Projects and facilities with environmental impact | Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] — EMA describes itself as a statutory body for the sustainable management of natural resources, protection of the environment and prevention of pollution and environmental degradation; its site says an environmental and social impact assessment certificate must be granted before a listed project is implemented, the certificate has a limited validity and must be renewed before expiry, and EMA runs online licensing. | |
| Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) Energy suppliers and large energy users | Energy Regulatory Authority Act [Chapter 13:23] read with the Electricity Act [Chapter 13:19] and the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22] — ZERA states that it is mandated to regulate the entire energy sector in a fair, transparent, efficient and cost effective manner for consumers and energy suppliers. | |
| Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) Airlines, aircraft maintenance organisations, aerodromes and air navigation services | CAAZ states that it is responsible for safety and security oversight of civil aviation activities in Zimbabwe through its directorates of flight safety and standards and of aviation security, and lists regulated activities that include airlines, charter companies, aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation training organisations, aerodromes and air traffic services. | |
| Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) Insurers, pension funds and the insurance and pensions industry | Insurance and Pension Commission Act [Chapter 24:21] — IPEC describes itself as the statutory body that regulates short-term and long-term insurance, private occupational schemes and the individual pensions policy for the protection of policy holders and pension fund members. | |
| Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) Mineral producers and exporters | MMCZ states that it markets Zimbabwean minerals, markets directly in some regional and international markets, evaluates rough diamonds from producers and polished diamonds from local manufacturers, and applies inspectorate and monitoring strategies for accountability of national mineral resources. | |
| Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) National standards and technical barriers to trade information | SAZ describes itself as the national standards body; its core activity is to facilitate and co-ordinate the development of national standards and to publish them, prepared by technical committees of manufacturers, trade associations, government departments, education and research institutions and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, and it is the national enquiry point for WTO technical barriers to trade information. Standards role only is recorded here. | |
| Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) Organisations exposed to bribery and corruption risk | ZACC states that its mandate is to combat corruption and related offences through prevention, investigation and public education. | ISO 37001, ISO 37301 |
Accreditation and recognition
- Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS): Multi-economy accreditation body, registered as a not-for-profit company under the Botswana Companies Act, 2003 and approved by the SADC Council of Ministers as a subsidiarity institution of SADC; SADCAS names Zimbabwe among the thirteen SADC economies without a national accreditation body that it serves.
Look for a certification body whose accreditation scope covers your standard and sector, from a national accreditation body recognised under the international arrangements of Global ACI (Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, formerly the IAF MLA). Sterling does not certify.
Sterling in Zimbabwe
Sterling delivers in Zimbabwe from its Johannesburg office: one team from scoping to certificate, with Effivity ISO & GRC software and Sterling Academy access included. Sterling does not certify; certification decisions stay with independent bodies.
Questions Zimbabwe clients ask
Who regulates data protection in Zimbabwe, and do businesses need a licence?
POTRAZ, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, is the Data Protection Authority under the Cyber and Data Protection Act. The 2024 licensing regulations say a person who decides how personal information is processed, or processes it for commercial gain, needs a data controller licence, with exemptions such as personal or household use. Check your own category with POTRAZ or your counsel.
Can personal data be sent out of Zimbabwe?
Only if the controller meets the Act's transfer rules. POTRAZ's guideline requires prior notification to the Authority, an impact assessment sent with it, the data subject's express consent, evidence that the destination gives adequate protection and a data-sharing agreement with the recipient. Review cloud hosting and offshore support arrangements against the guideline before moving data, and ask the regulator where unsure.
Does Zimbabwe have its own accreditation body?
No. SADCAS, the multi-economy body created under the SADC trade protocol, lists Zimbabwe among thirteen economies without a national accreditation body and serves it. It says its management system scheme is internationally recognised for quality, environmental, occupational health and safety and food safety systems. A certification body accredited by SADCAS, or by another body in the international arrangements, is the usual route.
Which cyber rules apply to banks and payment providers in Zimbabwe?
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's Cybersecurity and Resilience Guideline of August 2025 applies to banking institutions, non-bank financial institutions, controlling companies and payment system providers. It asks for a board-approved cybersecurity policy benchmarked against standards that include ISO/IEC 27001, and covers business continuity, third-party providers and incident reporting. Your supervisor sets how the guideline is assessed.
Are management system audits in Zimbabwe carried out in English?
English will normally do. POTRAZ publishes the Act, regulations and guidelines in English, SADCAS and the Reserve Bank write in English, and company records are kept in English. A site team may prefer another language on the floor, so tell the certification body at application if an interpreter is needed, and decide which language controlled documents will use.
Start with a free discovery call
A Sterling consultant goes through your entities, your regulators and your target date with you. No proposal until the scope is agreed.
Sources
- Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] — potraz.gov.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Cyber and Data Protection (Licensing of Data Controllers and Appointment of Data Protection Officers) Regulations, 2024 (Statutory Instrument 155 of 2024) — potraz.gov.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- POTRAZ implementation guidelines on cross-border transfer of personal information (CDPG 5 of 2024) and on data breach notification and handling — potraz.gov.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Cybersecurity and Resilience Guideline (August 2025) — rbz.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act [Chapter 15:03] — mcaz.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] — ema.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Energy Regulatory Authority Act [Chapter 13:23] read with the Electricity Act [Chapter 13:19] and the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22] — zera.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- CAAZ states that it is responsible for safety and security oversight of civil aviation activities in Zimbabwe through its directorates of flight safety and standards and of aviation security, and lists regulated activities that include airlines, charter companies, aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation training organisations, aerodromes and air traffic services — caaz.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Insurance and Pension Commission Act [Chapter 24:21] — ipec.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- MMCZ states that it markets Zimbabwean minerals, markets directly in some regional and international markets, evaluates rough diamonds from producers and polished diamonds from local manufacturers, and applies inspectorate and monitoring strategies for accountability of national mineral resources — mmcz.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- SAZ describes itself as the national standards body; its core activity is to facilitate and co-ordinate the development of national standards and to publish them, prepared by technical committees of manufacturers, trade associations, government departments, education and research institutions and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, and it is the national enquiry point for WTO technical barriers to trade information. Standards role only is recorded here — saz.org.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- ZACC states that its mandate is to combat corruption and related offences through prevention, investigation and public education — zacc.co.zw (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
- Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) — sadcas.org (accessed 18 Oct 2026)
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