Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza
Senior Business Reporter
Zimbabwe’s largest integrated media group, Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited (Zimpapers), recorded a 25 percent jump in digital audience in the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, as it pushes ahead with its ongoing digital transformation strategy.
According to a trading update for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the company’s digital footprint increased to 12,4 million followers from 10 million in the comparable period last year.
The strong audience growth was driven by the implementation of the group’s digital- and mobile-first strategy as part of the news media company’s digital transformation programme.
Chief executive officer Mr William Chikoto said the growth reflected the success of the company’s aggressive digital migration strategy as consumer media consumption increasingly shifts to online platforms.
“The converged HeraldOnline platform website traffic increased by 28,6 percent from 1,4 million to 1,8 million users, exceeding the company’s target of 1,5 million visitors for the quarter.
“Within the publishing division, social media audiences grew by 2,9 percent from 5,8 million to 5,967 million followers, while the broadcasting division registered a stronger 12 percent increase from 4,1 million to 4,6 million followers,” he said.
Mr Chikoto said the broadcasting segment’s growth was largely driven by the steady rise in Facebook followers and live online radio listeners across its stations.
Star FM accounted for more than 1,5 million followers on Facebook, while Diamond FM, Capitalk FM and Platinum FM also posted significant gains across their digital platforms.
Mr Chikoto said while audience growth was encouraging, the next phase of the company’s transformation agenda would focus on converting digital traffic into sustainable revenue streams.
“While the company is proud of the digital audience growth, the next and most critical phase of the transformation programme is digital revenue growth. This growth is essential to offset losses in traditional volumes and revenues and secure Zimpapers’ long-term financial sustainability,” he said.
