Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
State-owned mobile telecommunications company NetOne says its 30-year journey has evolved beyond providing basic voice and messaging services to empowering students, farmers, families and small businesses through increased access to digital services.
NetOne said mobile connectivity is increasingly becoming an enabler of economic participation, education and access to information.
This contributes to the broader national journey towards a more digitally connected Zimbabwe, in support of the country’s development aspirations under NDS-2 and Vision 2030, it said.
“Thirty years ago, connectivity was about making calls, sending messages and staying in touch. Today, a mobile connection can do so much more. It can help a student learn, a farmer access information, a business reach customers and a family stay connected. That is how connectivity has evolved. And so has NetOne,” said the firm.
The company said its growing digital footprint was helping communities take advantage of opportunities created by the digital economy.
“For a student, that extra data can mean more access to online lessons, research and learning platforms. For a small business owner, it can mean more time promoting products, engaging customers and taking orders online.
“For a farmer, it can provide greater access to market information, weather updates and agricultural knowledge. For families, it means more opportunities to stay connected through calls, messaging and video. And for young people, it creates more room to learn, create, explore and participate in the digital economy.”
NetOne said its interventions were also extending beyond conventional telecommunications services, with initiatives targeting digital healthcare, education, rural connectivity and digital financial services.
Through these initiatives, the company is seeking to narrow the digital divide by bringing technology and related opportunities closer to communities, particularly in underserved areas.
The developments come as Zimbabwe accelerates efforts to expand digital infrastructure and improve access to technology as part of its broader economic transformation agenda.
NetOne said its 30-year milestone was therefore not only a celebration of its history, but also an opportunity to reaffirm its role in supporting the country’s digital development.
