Telecoms operators warned against discriminatory pricing practices

Dr Mushayavanhu said the weakening of the US dollar was driven by some investor-risk-off behaviour, partly reflecting policy uncertainty on US monetary policy independence, heightened trade protectionism and spillovers from mounting geopolitical tensions.

Business Reporter

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has warned mobile money operators who are applying discriminatory pricing practices against the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in preference for United States Dollars (USD) transactions.

This comes after the central bank received complaints from stakeholders during their consultative meetings.

In the 2025 Monetary Policy Statement, RBZ Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said the complaints also revealed that promotions for internet data packages were sometimes only available in US dollars and not in ZiG.

“The Reserve Bank has since engaged the regulatory authority, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), and the Telecommunications Operators Association of Zimbabwe (TOAZ).

The Reserve Bank, through the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) will continue to monitor adherence to this requirement by TOAZ members,” he said.

“The industry players have agreed to rationalise their pricing structures. This will allow their customers to purchase internet data packages using their currency of choice.”

Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector growth has averaged 12,7 percent per year during the period (2021-2024) compared to an average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5,5 percent.

Growth is driven by urbanisation; rising adoption of 3G, 4G, 5G services; growing population.