MASVINGO – The 2025 edition of the Innovation Drive Ideathon, hosted by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), concluded on a high note in Masvingo, with 18 out of 30 young innovators winning seed funding to scale up their tech-based solutions aimed at tackling national development challenges.
Held over five days under the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, the ideathon provided a dynamic platform for youth-driven innovation, drawing 248 entries nationwide. The finalists presented groundbreaking solutions across five thematic areas — agriculture, energy, public service, financial technology (fintech), and tourism.
One of the standout winners was Innocent Greats, who received US$8,000 for his agri-tech platform designed to digitally connect farmers with buyers, transporters, and warehouse facilities. “This win means everything. My platform is about giving smallholder farmers a fair chance in the market by bridging information and logistics gaps through technology,” he said.
In the fintech category, Lionel Chenyika impressed judges with Cyberspace Smart Insurances, an innovative platform promoting road safety by offering performance-based, customised insurance products for responsible drivers. “Our roads need a tech solution that rewards safe driving. POTRAZ’s support shows confidence in young Zimbabweans’ ability to transform key sectors,” he said.
Guest of Honour, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, celebrated the ingenuity of the participants and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation. “Zimbabwe’s prosperity lies in the power of innovation. We are proud of these young minds who are crafting practical solutions to real national issues,” she said.
Dr Gift Machengete, POTRAZ Director General, hailed the event as a national catalyst for creativity and collaboration. “We witnessed not just a competition, but a movement. Out of 248 applications, selecting 30 was a challenge — the ideas were simply exceptional. This is about building a future-ready Zimbabwe powered by local talent,” he said.
Launched in 2016, the Innovation Drive has empowered nearly 200 young entrepreneurs with seed capital and technical support, with several past participants now running viable businesses that contribute to the national economy.
As the 2025 Ideathon wraps up, the spotlight now shifts to the implementation of the winning projects — many of which are poised to reshape Zimbabwe’s sectors through smart, scalable, and inclusive digital solutions.
