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MAPUTO – Mozambique is positioning digital infrastructure as a strategic national asset, with the government pledging to accelerate investment in fibre-optic networks, data centres and cybersecurity to underpin artificial intelligence (AI), financial services and long-term economic development.

Communications and Digital Transformation Minister Américo Muchanga said digital infrastructure should be regarded with the same strategic importance as transport corridors, ports, roads and energy infrastructure, arguing that future economic competitiveness will increasingly depend on digital connectivity and computing capacity.

Speaking during the BFSI – Banking, Financial Services and Insurance Mozambique 2026 conference, Muchanga said sustained investment in digital infrastructure, including fibre-optic networks and low-Earth orbit satellite technology, was essential to expanding connectivity while reducing the cost of internet access across the country.

“Without connectivity, there can be no digital economy,” he said, adding that digital infrastructure investment must extend beyond major urban centres to ensure rural communities can participate in the country’s digital transformation.

The minister said expanding broadband coverage to underserved regions would improve access to digital services, reduce geographic inequalities and create new opportunities for businesses, education and public service delivery.

Data centres become economic infrastructure

Muchanga identified data centres as another critical pillar of Mozambique’s digital economy, particularly as financial institutions accelerate their digital transformation strategies.

He argued that modern banking increasingly depends on resilient domestic data infrastructure capable of supporting digital transactions, cloud services and real-time financial operations.

“Without data centres, there is no digital banking,” he said.

The remarks reflect a broader shift taking place across Africa, where governments and private investors are increasingly viewing data centres as strategic infrastructure supporting financial inclusion, cloud computing, e-commerce and AI applications.

Several African markets, including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, have witnessed significant investment in carrier-neutral data centres as demand for cloud services and enterprise digital solutions continues to grow.

AI ambitions require greater computing power

The minister also cautioned that while Mozambique has made progress in expanding digital infrastructure, additional investment in computing capacity will be necessary if the country is to benefit fully from artificial intelligence.

He noted that AI systems require significantly greater processing capabilities than conventional digital services, making high-performance computing infrastructure an increasingly important component of national digital strategies.

Although investments in data centres, computers and mobile technologies have improved digital access, Muchanga said existing infrastructure remains insufficient to support the deployment of more sophisticated AI models.

Countries seeking to compete in the AI economy, he added, must invest not only in connectivity but also in advanced computing resources capable of processing increasingly complex workloads.

Cybersecurity moves to the centre of national policy

Cybersecurity also featured prominently in the government’s digital transformation agenda, with Muchanga describing cyber resilience as an essential element of national security amid growing cyber threats targeting governments, financial institutions and critical infrastructure.

He said Mozambique had strengthened its legislative framework through the adoption of new cybersecurity and cybercrime laws, alongside regulations governing cloud computing services and radio communications infrastructure.

The regulatory reforms require operators of critical infrastructure to implement stronger security measures aimed at protecting digital assets, safeguarding customer information and ensuring the continuity of essential services.

According to Muchanga, the reforms are expected to improve investor confidence by creating a more secure and predictable operating environment for technology companies and financial institutions.

Technology to unlock value from natural resources

Beyond digital infrastructure, the minister outlined the government’s broader vision of using emerging technologies to increase value creation from Mozambique’s abundant natural resources.

He said technologies such as artificial intelligence, intelligent sensors and digital platforms could improve resource management, enhance operational transparency and help combat illicit economic activities across key sectors.

“Mozambique, known for its natural resources, now needs to transform them into sustainable development through technologies such as AI, intelligent sensors and digital platforms,” he said.

Analysts say digital technologies are increasingly becoming integral to mining, agriculture, logistics and energy industries, enabling governments and businesses to improve operational efficiency while strengthening environmental and governance standards.

Data governance and digital skills remain critical

Muchanga also described data as a strategic national asset, arguing that countries capable of effectively governing and protecting data would be better positioned to attract investment, stimulate innovation and develop new digital services.

He said effective data governance requires strong ethical standards, regulatory certainty and collaboration between government, businesses and society to build public trust in digital systems.

The minister concluded by stressing that infrastructure investment alone would not be sufficient to drive digital transformation without parallel investment in human capital.

He called for stronger partnerships between government, universities, regulators, technology companies and international development partners to expand digital skills, promote research and innovation, and create technology-focused employment opportunities.

According to Muchanga, equipping young people, women and vulnerable communities with digital skills will be essential to ensuring that the economic benefits of digital transformation are shared across all regions of Mozambique, including remote and underserved communities.

As African governments increasingly position digital infrastructure alongside transport and energy as a catalyst for economic growth, Mozambique’s strategy reflects a growing recognition that connectivity, data infrastructure and cybersecurity will play a central role in shaping the continent’s competitiveness in the digital economy.

The post Mozambique Prioritises Digital Infrastructure to Drive AI, Financial Services and Economic Growth appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE – Economic policy think tank Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) has renewed its call for Zimbabwe to gradually transition to a single-currency system, arguing that wider adoption of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) would strengthen macroeconomic stability, improve the effectiveness of monetary policy and enhance confidence in the domestic economy.

In a detailed policy roadmap, AEDS said the shift to a single-currency regime should be driven by the achievement of clearly defined macroeconomic conditions rather than fixed implementation dates.

“The transition to a single-currency regime is not date-based but is dependent on the achievement of the conditions precedent,” the organisation said.

According to AEDS, the move should only proceed once Zimbabwe has achieved durable macroeconomic stability characterised by low and stable single-digit inflation, accumulated foreign currency reserves equivalent to between three and six months of import cover over the medium to long term, and established an efficient foreign exchange management system that guarantees reliable access to foreign currency for importers.

The think tank also identified exchange rate stability, stronger demand for the ZiG, financial sector resilience, an efficient National Payments System and closer coordination between fiscal and monetary policy as essential prerequisites for the transition.

It further recommended increasing the proportion of government taxes and payments for public goods and services conducted in ZiG to deepen demand for the local currency while maintaining strict fiscal discipline by avoiding monetary financing of the budget.

Under the proposed framework, AEDS said all domestic goods and services would be priced, paid for and settled exclusively in ZiG, while foreign currency would continue to be used for international transactions, including imports, exports and external debt obligations.

“The single-currency framework means domestic products and services will be exclusively paid for and settled in local currency, while foreign currency will be reserved for external payments,” the think tank said.

However, AEDS stressed that the transition would not eliminate foreign currency accounts or existing United States dollar-denominated financial assets.

It said foreign currency accounts would remain operational, while US dollar-denominated pension fund investments, Treasury Bills and equities listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) would continue to exist under the proposed framework.

The organisation also clarified that foreign currency loans extended to individuals and non-exporting companies would remain denominated and repayable in the currency in which they were contracted.

According to AEDS, these policy clarifications are critical in reducing uncertainty surrounding the transition and addressing concerns about potential losses arising from currency conversion.

“These pronouncements and clarifications on the transition to a single-currency regime and the fate of US dollar obligations help address uncertainties associated with asset impairment or potential losses arising from currency transactions,” the organisation said.

AEDS noted that uncertainty over Zimbabwe’s long-term currency framework had previously contributed to two significant risks within the financial sector: a tightening of credit availability and capital flight.

It observed that lenders had increasingly shortened the tenure of medium- and long-term facilities, with mortgage lending having virtually collapsed amid concerns over currency risk. At the same time, access to offshore financing had become increasingly constrained, while some foreign credit facilities arranged by private sector firms had reportedly been suspended or withdrawn.

The think tank argued that recent policy clarifications had significantly reduced these risks by confirming that existing US dollar liabilities would continue to be honoured in foreign currency and that foreign currency accounts would remain intact.

“Specifically, the emphasis that a single-currency system entails the exclusive use of ZiG for domestic transactions, while US dollar-denominated liabilities—whether owed to domestic or external creditors—will continue to be serviced in US dollars, and that US dollar accounts will not be closed, is a significant policy reassurance,” AEDS said.

Zimbabwe has operated under a multicurrency system since 2009, although authorities have been pursuing measures aimed at increasing the use of the ZiG following its introduction in April 2024. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has consistently maintained that any eventual transition to a single-currency system will depend on the attainment of macroeconomic stability and other economic conditions rather than a predetermined timetable.

AEDS believes that anchoring the transition in measurable economic indicators, while safeguarding existing foreign currency assets and obligations, would gradually rebuild confidence in the ZiG, deepen local currency usage and create a more coherent monetary policy framework capable of supporting sustainable long-term economic growth.

The post Calls for Gradual Transition to Single Currency as Zimbabwe Pursues ZiG Stability appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s state-owned telecommunications operator NetOne has placed chief executive officer Raphael Mushanawani on forced leave, months after he was cleared of allegations relating to fraud involving procurement processes and an upgrade project for the company’s SAGE 1000 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system valued at more than US$1.2 million.

Mushanawani’s suspension comes as the mobile network operator faces renewed scrutiny over corporate governance, commercial decisions and internal power dynamics at the company.

Chief Technical Officer Chris Muchechemera, a former digital innovation director at state-owned telecommunications company TelOne, has been appointed acting chief executive while Mushanawani is away.

Sources familiar with developments at NetOne said the decision was linked to concerns around a number of commercial transactions and internal governance issues, although details surrounding the specific allegations remain unclear.

The move comes despite Mushanawani having previously been cleared in relation to allegations involving unauthorised procurement contracts and the SAGE 1000 ERP upgrade project, which had attracted attention because of its financial value and implementation challenges.

Mushanawani’s tenure at NetOne has also been closely linked to Zimbabwe’s political and administrative landscape. He was appointed to lead the company in 2021 during the tenure of former Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Jenfan Muswere, who served in the portfolio from 2019 to 2023.

Muswere was instrumental in Mushanawani’s appointment to NetOne and later appointed him to the board of Zimbabwe Newspapers (Zimpapers) when he became Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services in 2023.

Muswere was reassigned to the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development in February 2026, while Tatenda Mavetera became the minister responsible for the ICT portfolio.

Sources said tensions had emerged around perceptions of political alignment and loyalty within the company, with some stakeholders alleging that Mushanawani remained closely associated with Muswere’s political network rather than the current ICT minister’s administration.

However, analysts note that state-owned enterprises in Zimbabwe have historically faced challenges around governance, political influence and accountability, with leadership changes often reflecting broader institutional and policy dynamics.

NetOne, one of Zimbabwe’s three mobile network operators alongside Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Telecel Zimbabwe, has previously faced criticism over financial performance, procurement practices and operational inefficiencies.

The company plays a strategic role in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda, with the government seeking to expand broadband connectivity, digital payments and technology-driven public services.

Industry observers say the latest leadership shake-up highlights the need for stronger corporate governance frameworks at state-owned enterprises, including transparent procurement systems, independent boards and clear separation between commercial management and political interests.

NetOne has not yet issued a detailed public statement explaining the reasons behind Mushanawani’s forced leave or indicating the duration of the acting appointment.

The post NetOne CEO Mushanawani Placed on Forced Leave Amid Governance Concerns appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) has launched the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX), a new capital markets platform aimed at widening access to growth capital for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while strengthening Zimbabwe’s financial market ecosystem.

The launch, held in Bulawayo on 24 July 2026, follows regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZ) and the ZSE’s decision in June to operationalise its Small and Medium Enterprises Exchange under the ZEEX brand.

According to a ZSE press statement, ZEEX is a technology-driven, entrepreneurship-focused exchange designed to address one of the country’s longstanding economic challenges — limited access to affordable and patient capital for smaller businesses.

“The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Limited (ZSE) is pleased to announce the official launch of the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX), held in Bulawayo on Friday, 24 July 2026,” the exchange said.

The platform consists of four major components: ZEEX Private Markets, ZEEX Public Markets, Invoice Discounting, and Bondholding Company (BHC).

The private markets segment will enable entrepreneurs to raise capital through structured private placements before potentially accessing public markets, while the public markets segment will facilitate securities issuance, listing and secondary market trading.

The invoice discounting facility will provide working capital solutions by allowing businesses to convert outstanding customer invoices into immediate liquidity, improving cash flow management.

The Bondholding Company model will enable businesses to secure financing through structured debt arrangements, giving investors clearer collateral frameworks while helping smaller enterprises access funding that may otherwise be unavailable through traditional financial institutions.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Judith Ncube said the decision to establish ZEEX in Bulawayo recognised the city’s historic contribution to Zimbabwe’s financial sector.

“Bulawayo carried the distinction of being home to one of the very first stock exchanges established around 1896. In launching ZEEX in Bulawayo, the ZSE is not creating something entirely new for the city. In many respects, it recognises that it is a home for finance and enterprise,” she said.

Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said ZEEX represented an important step towards integrating entrepreneurs into formal capital markets.

“The ZSE has played an important role in introducing entrepreneurs to the opportunities available within Zimbabwe’s capital markets as it transforms years of dialogue, capacity building and institutional collaboration into a practical financing platform,” she said.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said ZEEX was designed to correct structural imbalances in access to capital.

“ZEEX is a deliberate and necessary intervention to correct a long-standing imbalance, one where the very businesses that anchor our economy have had the least access to the capital markets that could help them grow,” Professor Ncube said.

He added that the platform would allow smaller businesses to formalise, expand operations and access long-term financing opportunities traditionally dominated by large corporates.

“The establishment of ZEEX gives these businesses the tools to formalise, to scale, and to access the kind of patient capital that has historically been reserved for large corporates,” he said.

The launch comes as the ZSE continues efforts to deepen Zimbabwe’s capital markets, improve financial inclusion and create alternative funding mechanisms beyond conventional bank lending.

ZSE market performance update

Meanwhile, investors are monitoring broader market movements following the latest trading session on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

ZSE Equity Market Indices, top gainers and losers as at 27 July 2026

Daily market performance data, including equity indices, price movements, top gainers, top losers and trading activity, is available through the ZSE’s official market information platforms.

To view daily ZSE market data, investors can access the exchange’s market statistics and trading updates.

The introduction of ZEEX is expected to provide a new pipeline of investable opportunities while encouraging more SMEs to transition into formal capital markets and contribute towards Zimbabwe’s broader industrial and economic growth agenda.

The post ZSE launches SME-focused exchange as market deepening agenda gains momentum appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

Harare – A profound sense of apprehension has gripped Zimbabwe’s political and security establishment as reports confirm the imminent launch of a new political party by a group of disgruntled former soldiers. This development represents a significant challenge to the ruling elite, as it involves individuals with tactical training, intimate knowledge of the regime’s internal […]

The post CIOs headache as former soldiers form a their political party: They fought in DRC war & helped remove Mugabe first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.