Online Reporter
Business Writer
NETONE chief executive officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani says Zimbabwe’s future economic growth will depend not only on what the country produces, but on how efficiently and intelligently production is carried out in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking at the Mid-Term Review and High-Level Policy Dialogue in Harare last Friday, Eng Mushanawani said the
Fourth Industrial Revolution was reshaping economies worldwide, placing a premium on intelligent networks, real-time systems and resilient digital infrastructure.
As a result, he said, NetOne continues to invest heavily in broadband expansion, rural connectivity and digital platforms designed to support key sectors such as healthcare, education and financial inclusion.
The high-level policy dialogue was organised by regional economic development think tank Africa Development Strategies in partnership with NetOne. The event provided a platform for reviewing economic performance during the first half of the year, analysing emerging trends and contributing to discussions ahead of Zimbabwe’s Mid-Term
National Budget and Monetary Policy reviews.
Eng Mushanawani said NetOne, as part of the Mutapa Investment Fund portfolio, views its role as extending beyond telecommunications and commercial success to supporting national economic transformation.
“Every dollar invested in digital infrastructure creates multiplier effects across the economy — attracting investment, strengthening competitiveness and enabling innovation. We do not see ourselves as spectators in economic transformation—we see ourselves as architects.”
He said expanding digital access across industries can significantly reduce the cost of doing business while improving productivity and competitiveness.
Eng Mushanawani noted that increased adoption of digital technologies has the potential to boost productivity by between 15 and 30 percent, creating benefits for both businesses and the wider economy.
He, however, stressed that stronger collaboration between Government and the private sector remains critical to unlocking the full potential of Zimbabwe’s digital economy.
“Every investment in network expansion must translate into economic expansion. When we connect farming communities, we enable access to markets, weather intelligence and financial inclusion. When we support mining, we enable real-time data, automation and operational efficiency.”
Eng Mushanawani said there was a need to further strengthen the policy and fiscal environment to make digital infrastructure deployment more affordable and attractive to investors.
While some ICT equipment is imported duty-free, he said the sector continues to face a 15 percent Value Added Tax on imports, additional taxes linked to tariff classifications and inconsistencies in the exemption of broadband infrastructure equipment.
“Rationalising these measures would significantly reduce the cost of network expansion, accelerate investment and improve access to affordable digital services,” said Eng Mushanawani.
He said such policy measures are aligned with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the National ICT Policy (2022-2027) and Vision 2030, all of which recognise digital infrastructure as a key driver of industrialisation, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
“By creating a more investment-friendly environment for ICT infrastructure, Zimbabwe will accelerate universal connectivity, strengthen national competitiveness and unlock greater economic value across all sectors,” he added.
To position itself for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy, NetOne has deliberately expanded its role beyond that of a traditional telecommunications provider and now sees itself as a custodian of strategic national infrastructure.
In recent years, the company has focused on widening access to digital services, resulting in significant milestones, including network coverage reaching between 85 and 90 percent of the population, a subscriber base of more than four million users and continued investment in network modernisation and resilience.
These investments, Eng Mushanawani said, are aimed at ensuring that digital technology becomes a catalyst for economic growth, innovation and inclusive development across Zimbabwe.
