Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S digital economy is receiving fresh impetus as telecommunications and financial technology converge, with new investment ambitions targeting connectivity gaps, cross-border payments and regional economic integration.
Dolphin Technologies Group said it plans to expand beyond traditional telecommunications into an integrated digital services business, extending internet access, regional mobile connectivity and financial transactions, particularly along the Zimbabwe-South Africa economic corridor.
Speaking during a press conference on the company’s growth strategy in Harare on Wednesday, Dolphin Technologies head of commercial, Mr Edmore Mtisi, said reliable connectivity had become central to economic activity, education and access to essential services, although affordability and coverage remained challenges for many people.
“Connectivity is how businesses operate, how students access education, how families remain in touch, how people earn a living, and increasingly, how we access and pay for essential services,” he said.
The company’s expansion ambitions come as Zimbabwe increasingly looks to digital infrastructure and financial technology to support economic modernisation, improve productivity and widen financial inclusion.
Dolphin, which received Zimbabwe’s first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) licence in 2022, intends to widen internet access through additional solutions, including fixed wireless access technology, particularly in areas where fibre infrastructure is unavailable.
Mr Mtisi said extending connectivity to households and businesses was a priority, given the growing dependence of economic activities on reliable internet.
“Dependable internet helps families study, work from home and stay in touch. The options available to customers vary by location and extending coverage is a priority for Dolphin,” he said.
Beyond connectivity, the company is targeting the digital payments market, with plans to introduce cross-border remittances and instant bank settlements through partnerships with financial institutions.
The proposed expansion could address practical challenges faced by Zimbabweans abroad who regularly send money home to support families, although implementation will depend on partner readiness and regulatory approvals.
