NetOne is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of connecting Zimbabweans and transforming from the country’s first mobile network into a key player in the nation’s digital economy.
Since launching its first mobile network in 1996, NetOne has expanded its services beyond voice communication to provide mobile data, digital financial services, telehealth, smart agriculture and 5G connectivity.
Speaking about the company’s future, NetOne Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the goal is to make NetOne Zimbabwe’s leading telecommunications company.
“We want to be the number one network. We are seeing ourselves being a US$1 billion company within the next five years,” said Mushanawani.
The company has recorded strong financial growth in recent years, with a 62 percent increase in revenue and a 68 percent rise in Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA). Data revenue also grew by 110 percent as more Zimbabweans embraced digital services.
NetOne has continued expanding its network across the country by rolling out new base stations and increasing its 4G LTE and 5G coverage, particularly in rural communities. The company now operates nearly half of Zimbabwe’s rural base stations, helping bridge the digital divide.
One of NetOne’s flagship projects is the OneHealth–Telehealth Initiative, which was officially launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May 2024. Through the programme, rural communities can access medical consultations remotely using digital technology.
At the launch of the Virtual Telemedicine Hospital in Ntunungwe, Matabeleland South, Mushanawani highlighted the impact of the initiative.
“This Virtual Telemedicine Hospital is not just a booth—it is a hospital without walls; a medical bridge between Ntunungwe and the rest of Zimbabwe,” he said.
He added that the project would improve access to healthcare for remote communities.
“For many years, communities like Ntunungwe have faced challenges in accessing healthcare. Mothers have travelled long distances with sick children. The elderly have endured pain without immediate help. But today, we stand together to say: help has come home.”
Beyond healthcare, NetOne has invested in Smart Agriculture, Smart Mining and digital skills programmes aimed at creating opportunities for young Zimbabweans.
“Technology is now the new pickaxe,” Mushanawani said, describing how digital tools are transforming the mining sector.
The company has also strengthened its corporate social responsibility programmes by supporting schools, installing solar-powered computer laboratories, drilling boreholes and promoting food security through nutritional gardens.
Mushanawani’s leadership has earned national recognition, including the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award.
Accepting the honour, he said:
“I receive this recognition with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. While the award bears my name, it is a reflection of the collective efforts of the NetOne family, our Board of Directors, our valued customers, and all stakeholders who continue to believe in our vision.”
As NetOne celebrates its Pearl Anniversary, the company says it remains committed to expanding digital access and supporting Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
“The first thirty years were about connecting Zimbabwe. The next thirty years will be about empowering Zimbabwe to thrive in the digital age,” the company said.
