How Zimbabwe’s Pioneer Mobile Network Became a Driver of the Digital Economy
By Tendai Keith Guvamombe
In 1996, Zimbabwe stood on the threshold of a communications revolution.
Mobile telephony was still in its infancy. Internet access was limited, and for many Zimbabweans, particularly those in rural communities, reliable communication remained beyond reach. It was in this environment that NetOne was established as Zimbabwe’s first mobile telecommunications operator, laying the foundation for what would become one of the country’s most significant digital transformation journeys.
Thirty years later, NetOne’s story is inseparable from Zimbabwe’s own story of resilience, innovation and progress.
As the company celebrates its Pearl Anniversary, it is not merely commemorating three decades of business operations. It is celebrating thirty years of connecting people to opportunities, empowering communities, supporting economic growth and helping build the digital foundations of a modern Zimbabwe.
When NetOne was launched in 1996, a mobile phone was considered a luxury. Today, that same device has become a classroom, a marketplace, a bank, a healthcare platform and a gateway to opportunity. This transformation reflects not only the evolution of technology but also the role NetOne has played in ensuring that connectivity becomes a tool for national development.
Under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, NetOne has undergone a remarkable transformation. The organisation has evolved from being viewed primarily as a telecommunications service provider into a strategic enabler of Zimbabwe’s digital economy, aligning its operations with national priorities and the aspirations of Vision 2030.
The transformation of NetOne has unfolded within the broader framework of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda championed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Through Vision 2030, the National Development Strategies and the establishment of the Mutapa Investment Fund, Government has created a framework that positions strategic national assets to contribute meaningfully towards economic growth, digital transformation and the creation of generational wealth.
As one of Zimbabwe’s key national enterprises, NetOne has embraced this responsibility, aligning its investments, innovation and community programmes with the vision of building an empowered, prosperous and digitally connected upper-middle-income society.
Today, connectivity is no longer simply about making calls
Connectivity powers education.
Connectivity drives commerce.
Connectivity supports healthcare.
Connectivity enables agriculture.
Connectivity facilitates financial inclusion.
Connectivity creates employment.
Connectivity accelerates national development.
Recognising this reality, NetOne has invested in modern technologies, network expansion and innovative digital solutions that connect Zimbabweans to opportunities that were once beyond reach.
Through 4G LTE, 5G and digital platforms, the company is helping businesses grow, supporting entrepreneurs, empowering young people and enabling citizens to participate fully in the digital economy.
Yet perhaps the most compelling measure of NetOne’s success lies beyond technology itself.
For NetOne, Corporate Social Responsibility is not an obligation. It is a commitment to nation-building.
Guided by the principle of leaving no one and no place behind, the organisation has consistently invested in initiatives that improve lives and strengthen communities.
Across Zimbabwe, NetOne has equipped schools with computers and digital learning tools, helping bridge the gap between urban and rural education. The company has supported school rehabilitation projects, invested in solar-powered solutions for underserved communities and established nutritional gardens that promote food security and sustainable livelihoods.
NetOne has also championed social inclusion through programmes supporting persons with albinism, promoting dignity, awareness and equal opportunities.
At the same time, the organisation has taken a leading role in anti-drug and substance abuse campaigns, helping protect young people and build healthier communities.
These initiatives demonstrate a simple but powerful philosophy: development must be inclusive. Every learner empowered, every community connected, every vulnerable citizen supported and every opportunity created contributes towards a stronger Zimbabwe.
Beyond the country’s borders, NetOne continues to strengthen international connectivity through strategic roaming partnerships that keep Zimbabweans connected wherever they travel, facilitating trade, investment, tourism and regional integration.
The modern NetOne is defined by innovation, agility and a youthful outlook. It is an organisation that understands that the future belongs to those who embrace change, invest in technology and place people at the centre of development.
Today, NetOne stands as more than a telecommunications operator.
As NetOne enters its fourth decade, its mission remains clear: to connect more people, empower more communities, unlock more opportunities and drive Zimbabwe’s digital transformation.
The first thirty years were about connecting Zimbabwe.
The next thirty years will be about empowering Zimbabwe to thrive in the digital age.
This is more than the story of a telecommunications company.
It is the story of a network that helped build a nation—and whose greatest contribution may still lie ahead.