Launches Official Initiative for Free Cybersecurity Training with Over 800 Registrants; Question Arises: Can Cyberus Achieve Its $100 Million Vision?
The Cyberus-led National Cybersecurity Training Program, officially launched on August 6, 2025, is a free initiative backed by the Zimbabwean Ministry of ICT and the Russian-backed company, Cyberus. The program aims to train 10,000 Zimbabweans in ethical hacking, cyber defense, and penetration testing.
The launch event in Harare was attended by the Minister of ICT, her deputy, the Permanent Secretary, and the acting Russian Ambassador, Sergey Kuzin, highlighting high-level bilateral cooperation.
The training is open to anyone interested in cybersecurity, from beginners to IT professionals, though basic familiarity with technical concepts like networking, Linux or Windows terminals, and tools like VirtualBox or Docker is beneficial. The program starts with foundational material, allowing participants to build skills from scratch if willing.
Regarding the screening process, although over 800 candidates signed up soon after launch, Cyberus plans to conduct a screening at the end of August 2025 to select the most promising candidates. However, all registrants can start training immediately and learn at their own pace. The screening likely serves to identify top learners for enhanced opportunities such as internships, jobs, or scholarships within the project’s ecosystem.
The program is part of a broader $100 million “CyberDom” tech ecosystem initiative, which promises long-term investment in Zimbabwe's cybersecurity capacity and related infrastructure development. The involvement of the Russian Ambassador symbolizes a strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and Russia to advance this training and capacity-building effort.
Potential outcomes for participants include job prospects, internships, and scholarships, stemming from their performance during the training and screening. Cyberus aims to prioritize quality candidates for deeper engagement in Zimbabwe’s growing digital economy.
The Zimbabwean government has given its official approval to the project, but is not providing financial support. Cyberus is offering free training to Zimbabwean talent. Redzone Digital, a local partner, is managing logistics and recruitment for the program.
The success of the project is being closely watched, with focus on the quality of the training, the students sent to Russia, and the development of CyberDom. The Russian government may offer opportunities for top-performing students to travel to Russia. Some students may receive job offers, either abroad or remotely.
Ministry officials are cautiously optimistic about the success of this project, considering the high number of sign-ups and the involvement of Cyberus. The company's previous projects indicate a higher likelihood of follow-through, as evident in their plans to build a $100 million tech ecosystem under the brand "CyberDom." However, many similar proposals have landed on the Zimbabwean government's desk in the past and failed to materialize.
In conclusion, the Cyberus-led National Cybersecurity Training Program is an exciting initiative that offers a unique opportunity for Zimbabweans to gain valuable cybersecurity skills. With the support of the Zimbabwean government and the Russian Ambassador, the program has the potential to significantly contribute to Zimbabwe's digital economy and cybersecurity capacity.
- The Cyberus-led National Cybersecurity Training Program, with its focus on training participants in ethical hacking, cyber defense, and penetration testing, showcases a fusion of technology and education-and-self-development, aiming to uplift Zimbabwe's digital economy and cybersecurity capacity.
- The launch of this program, part of a broader $100 million tech ecosystem initiative known as 'CyberDom,' is a testament to the strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and Russia, fostering a promising future in the realm of finance, technology, and education-and-self-development.
