HARARE – State-owned telecommunications operator NetOne says it is playing a central role in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda, as the country accelerates efforts to build a technology-driven economy anchored on connectivity, innovation and infrastructure expansion.
Group chief executive officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the telecoms operator has evolved beyond traditional voice and data services to become a strategic enabler of national development, supporting sectors ranging from agriculture and mining to education, healthcare and financial services.
Speaking after being named Overall Platinum Winner and Best CEO at the Zimbabwe CEOs Network Awards, Mushanawani said digital infrastructure had become a foundational pillar of economic competitiveness.
“NetOne is more than a telecommunications operator. We are a strategic enabler of Zimbabwe’s digital future,” he said.
“Connectivity today underpins every sector of the economy, from agriculture and mining to education, healthcare, tourism and financial services. Our responsibility is to build the digital infrastructure that supports productivity, innovation and competitiveness.”
The remarks come as Zimbabwe intensifies its push towards Vision 2030, which targets upper-middle-income status driven in part by accelerated digitalisation, industrialisation and innovation-led growth.
NetOne said its investments are focused on expanding network coverage, modernising infrastructure and deepening digital inclusion, particularly in rural and underserved communities where connectivity gaps remain a barrier to economic participation.
Mushanawani said the impact of telecommunications infrastructure should be measured not only in technical performance but also in social and economic outcomes.
“What makes me proud is not only the infrastructure we have deployed or the technologies we have introduced, but the impact those investments are having on people’s lives,” he said.
“Every connected school, every digitally empowered entrepreneur, every rural community brought into the digital ecosystem represents meaningful progress.”
He added that the telecoms sector has become a key driver of financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, with mobile connectivity enabling new business models, digital payments and access to information services across the economy.
Industry observers note that Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector is increasingly intertwined with broader economic transformation efforts, particularly as government and private players invest in e-government platforms, digital financial services and smart infrastructure systems.
NetOne also acknowledged the role of government policy in shaping the sector’s growth trajectory, crediting the national digitalisation agenda for creating an enabling environment for innovation and investment.
Mushanawani said the state’s emphasis on technology-led development had strengthened the operational environment for telecoms operators.
“Government’s commitment to digitalisation has created an enabling environment for institutions such as NetOne to innovate and grow,” he said.
He further noted the influence of the Mutapa Investment Fund in improving governance and performance within state-owned enterprises, describing it as a key institutional reform driver.
“The Mutapa Investment Fund has played an important strategic role in strengthening governance, accountability and value creation across State-Owned Enterprises,” he said.
Analysts say improved oversight of public enterprises could enhance efficiency and unlock capital for infrastructure expansion, particularly in strategic sectors such as telecommunications, energy and transport.
Looking ahead, NetOne says emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things will play a defining role in shaping Zimbabwe’s digital economy.
“The future is incredibly exciting,” Mushanawani said.
“Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing and advanced digital services are reshaping economies around the world. Our focus is to ensure that Zimbabwe is not merely a consumer of technology but an active participant in the digital economy.”
The company says it is prioritising “future-ready” infrastructure investments designed to support next-generation digital services, improve network resilience and expand broadband access.
As competition intensifies within Zimbabwe’s telecoms market, operators are increasingly positioning themselves not just as service providers, but as critical infrastructure partners in national development.
For NetOne, the strategic challenge lies in balancing commercial sustainability with its broader mandate of supporting inclusive digital access.
Still, the company insists that its long-term success will be defined less by financial metrics alone and more by its contribution to economic empowerment and social transformation.
“Success is measured by impact,” Mushanawani said. “It is about the institutions we strengthen, the opportunities we create, the people we empower and the legacy we leave behind.”
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