Harare, Zimbabwe — NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushawanani, has positioned the parastatal not merely as a telecoms provider but as the national enabler driving Zimbabwe’s digital transformation under Vision 2030.
Speaking at the Vision 2030 Intergenerational Dialogue Summit, Mushawanani emphasized that NetOne’s core mission is to build the digital infrastructure necessary to ensure “no one and no place is left behind.”
The CEO highlighted the convergence of technology, skills, and innovation, stressing that the key to unlocking the nation’s future lies in intergenerational collaboration. He stated that NetOne’s role is to create the “digital bridges” that seamlessly connect the wisdom of the older generation with the agility and energy of the youth.
Equipping the Digital Tomorrow
NetOne is deliberately focused on youth empowerment, recognizing them as the leaders of the digital tomorrow. The company is actively investing in digital skills development through partnerships with tertiary institutions, innovation hubs, and vocational training centres.
The goal is to nurture a new generation of innovators, software developers, and data scientists to drive Zimbabwe’s Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The impact is already visible in critical sectors:
Smart Mining: Technology has become the “new pickaxe,” enabling digital surveying and efficient claim management, breaking historical barriers for young participants in the value chain.
Commitment Beyond Competition
Mushawanani affirmed that NetOne measures success not by the number of towers built, but by the number of lives transformed. He cited examples such as a student in a rural college accessing e-learning or a clinic consulting a specialist via a NetOne connection.
The CEO concluded by emphasizing collaboration over competition, acknowledging that Zimbabwe’s digital growth depends on harnessing partnerships, both local and international.
As the nation moves toward NDS2 and Vision 2030, NetOne remains anchored in inclusivity, innovation, and integrity, committed to building a digitally empowered future.
Smart Agriculture: Young farmers are using NetOne’s mobile technology to access vital information like weather forecasts, digital mapping, and land-use data, transforming land into economic opportunity.
