Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube and the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Toshiyuki Iwado have signed the Exchange of Notes for Cybercrime Equipment Supply grant amounting 390 million Japanese Yen (approximately US$3,6 million) in Harare today.
The signing of the Exchange of Notes implies that the Government of Japan will contribute to improving the safety of Zimbabwe and the Southern African region through the provision of cybersecurity equipment.
“The new equipment to be provided, including digital forensic tools, face recognition systems and an information sharing platform, will contribute to upgrading the capacity of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and will promote inter-regional cooperation of the responsible bodies under the auspices of INTERPOL.” Iwado said.
“It will be the most up-to-date and state-of-the-art equipment made by the Japanese companies to tackle cybersecurity issues.”
The Finance Minister said the procurement of the technology from Japan will go a long way to prosecute cybercrime.
The intention of the grant is also to enhance security in dealing with cybercrime and make Zimbabwe move with the world in dealing with the siege according to the Development Minister.
“If you read around the world, you will see that everyone is under siege in as far as cybersecurity is concerned,” Ncube said.
“… and we are such a digitalized economy right now so its imperative that such equipment is secured and we thank the Japanese government for this assistance.
The support from the Japanese provides for the procurement of equipment for enhancing the ability to counter-terrorism and public security according to the Finance Minister.
The grant is also for the procurement of relevant equipment and material for operation and maintenance of equipment for enhancing the ability to counter terrorism and public security.
One other use of the support is for the procurement of services necessary for the procurement and transportation of the product and training and other services for the operation and maintenance for enhancing the ability to counter-terrorism and public security.
