Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza
Senior Business Reporter
Zimbabwe Newspapers is accelerating its transition towards a digitally driven and diversified business model, positioning itself for long-term growth despite short-term financial pressures recorded in its 2025 results.
Broadly, the country’s largest media group said it would continue to focus on operational efficiency, digital transformation and revenue diversification to ensure resilience and to capitalise on opportunities in the gradually improving economic environment.
Board chairperson Mrs Doreen Sibanda said the group was undergoing a deliberate transformation anchored on a new industrial cost model, digital innovation and the creation of alternative revenue streams beyond traditional media.
Notably, while making progress on its digital transformation journey and revenue diversification initiatives, the group continues to be weighed down by its heavy legacy industrial cost engine characterised by high fixed-cost structures — such as printing presses, distribution networks and large staff overheads — that traditional media companies (newspapers and broadcasters) must manage.
“The business is in transition, and our focus is on future audiences, driving growth and building a resilient organisation through a leaner cost structure, digital transformation and diversified income streams.
“We are confident that the foundations we are laying now will unlock sustainable value,” she said in a statement of financials for the year ended December 31, 2025.
“This restructuring is being complemented by a bold digital transformation agenda that has already begun to reshape how the group produces and distributes content.
Mrs Sibanda noted that while the media environment in Zimbabwe and globally continued to shift towards digital consumption, Zimpapers still benefits from a loyal print-buying customer base.
“While digital growth is strong, demand for credible, professionally produced journalism remains high across all platforms, reinforcing the strength of flagship brands like The Herald, The Sunday Mail, Star FM and ZTN prime.
“With a growing appetite for hyperlocal content, the company has leveraged its nationwide presence and Super Desk model to deliver region-specific stories. Building on this, Zimpapers plans to launch more hyperlocal products tailored to diverse regional needs and preferred platforms,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said in 2025, the media group firmly established itself as Zimbabwe’s leading digital-first and mobile-first media organisation, driven by the successful first phase of its digital transformation project.
She said enhanced analytics now sat at the centre of editorial and commercial decision-making, giving the company deeper insights into consumer preferences, peak consumption times, devices and geographic trends.
“The initiative has already introduced advanced tools that enable real-time, multi-format content gathering and a modern AI-supported digital newsroom.
“Enhanced audience analytics now guide editorial and investment decisions, helping the company tailor content to preferences, consumption times, devices and locations,” she said.
“This data-driven approach is expected to significantly improve content relevance and monetisation opportunities,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda highlighted that the transformation marks more than just a technological upgrade, but a cultural shift towards faster, smarter and more audience-driven journalism.
“We are building a future-ready organisation that understands its audiences and delivers value across platforms,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said the growing appetite for hyperlocal content had also opened new opportunities, with the group utilising its nationwide footprint and Super Desk model to deliver region-specific news.
Building on this, Zimpapers plans to launch more hyperlocal products tailored to diverse regional needs and preferred platforms.
It is also actively diversifying into non-traditional revenue streams to reduce reliance on advertising, which remains vulnerable to economic cycles.
Chief executive Mr William Chikoto echoed similar sentiments, noting that the group’s full-year results depicted the challenges being encountered by an organisation in the middle of the digital transition in response to rapidly shifting domestic and global economic dynamics. “The real challenge is the cost
structure,” Mr Chikoto said, adding that this was an area the organisation is focusing on in its transition from the print-centric traditional media business structure to a digital-first model.
Potential high-growth areas like commercial printing, Mr Chikoto said, required significant capital injection while laggards such as ZTN Prime continued to transition from linear programming to digital and multi-platform tailored content distribution.
He said the group had already recorded a significant milestone in its digital transformation following the completion of the digital-first newsroom transformation, with focus now shifting to initiatives to monetise the digital products.
Mr Chikoto stressed the group’s focus on measured transition, anchored on reconfiguring operations from the print-centric model to a dynamic digital-first entity driven by diversified revenue streams and cash-generative digital products.
He noted the positive outlook given the marked growth in volumes during the 12 months to December 31, 2025.
The group’s financials reflect the strain of operating in a shifting media and economic landscape but also highlight clear progress in repositioning the business.
Mr Chikoto said following the successful completion of the digital newsroom transformation, the focus going forward was now on monetising digital products and expanding revenue diversification, including through event ticket sales and sponsorship.
Chief Finance Officer Mrs Prisca Makandwa said the group would also leverage its extensive real estate portfolio, including in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare, as part of continuous efforts to diversify revenue streams in the challenging economic environment.
This comes after full-year revenue declined to ZiG622.1 million in 2025 from ZiG736.5 million in the same prior year period, weighed down by reduced consumer spending and subdued advertising demand.
During the year under review, segment performance reflects both challenges and opportunities within the business.
The Newspapers Division remained the largest contributor to revenue at ZiG342.8 million, despite a 15.5 percent decline driven by a 14 percent drop in advertising volumes.
The decline underscores the structural migration of advertisers to digital platforms; however, the division continues to benefit from strong readership across print and digital channels.
The Broadcasting Division delivered one of the most encouraging performances, with revenue rising to ZiG195.2 million from ZiG178.7 million, supported by increased audience engagement.
Radio volumes surged by 45 percent, reflecting the continued relevance of audio platforms, while television volumes declined.
The Commercial Printing Division faced the most significant headwinds, with revenue falling to ZiG84.1 million from ZiG152 million due to operational inefficiencies and ageing equipment.
However, this segment is also being repositioned as part of the broader transformation strategy.
