Telecommunication companies in Zimbabwe

Telecommunication Companies in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector is a crucial part of the country’s economy, providing mobile, internet, and fixed-line services. The industry is regulated by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), which ensures competition and service quality. The main players in the market include Econet Wireless, NetOne, Telecel Zimbabwe, TelOne, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

1. Econet Wireless Zimbabwe

Econet Wireless is the largest mobile network operator in Zimbabwe, holding the biggest market share in terms of subscribers and revenue. Founded by Strive Masiyiwa in 1998, Econet provides mobile voice, data, and financial services through its EcoCash mobile money platform. The company is known for its innovations in digital and fintech services, including EcoSure (insurance) and EcoFarmer (agriculture support).

2. NetOne

NetOne is Zimbabwe’s second-largest mobile network provider and is government-owned. It was the first cellular network in the country, established in 1996. NetOne offers voice, data, and mobile financial services through OneMoney, its mobile money platform. Over the years, NetOne has expanded its services to include digital entertainment and business solutions.

3. Telecel Zimbabwe

Telecel is the smallest of the three mobile network providers in Zimbabwe. The company was founded in 1998 and has faced financial and ownership challenges over the years. Despite these struggles, Telecel still provides mobile voice, data, and SMS services. However, it has struggled to compete with Econet and NetOne due to limited infrastructure and financial difficulties.

4. TelOne

TelOne is Zimbabwe’s primary fixed-line operator and internet service provider. The company was originally part of the government’s telecommunications infrastructure and later became a standalone entity. TelOne provides home and business broadband, VoIP services, and data center solutions. The company is expanding its fiber-optic infrastructure to improve internet speeds across the country.

5. Liquid Intelligent Technologies

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (formerly Liquid Telecom) is a leading provider of fiber-optic internet and data services in Zimbabwe and across Africa. The company is part of the Cassava Technologies group and has built extensive fiber networks to support businesses, banks, and government institutions. Liquid Intelligent Technologies plays a key role in providing fast and reliable internet to Zimbabweans.

Other Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Apart from the major telecom companies, Zimbabwe has several ISPs offering broadband and wireless internet services. These include:

ZOL Zimbabwe (now part of Liquid Intelligent Technologies)

Dandemutande

Powertel Communications

Challenges in the Sector

Zimbabwe’s telecom industry faces several challenges, including:

High costs of infrastructure development

Foreign currency shortages affecting network expansion

Power supply issues leading to service disruptions

Government regulations and taxation on mobile data and internet services

Despite these challenges, Zimbabwe’s telecommunications industry continues to grow, with increasing investments in mobile money, fiber-optic networks, and digital services.