By Desire Tshuma
Harare – NetOne’s Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani has told industry leaders that artificial intelligence will only deliver real impact in Africa if it is built on robust telecommunications infrastructure, positioning the operator as central to Zimbabwe’s digital transition.
Speaking at a high-level ICT gathering attended by the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Hon. Tendai Mavetera, Permanent Secretary Dr. B. Chirume, and Compulink/Evolve Africa executives Edward and Simon Nyamuda, the NetOne, Eng Mushanawani said AI represents “the most transformative force of our time” and the next major leap in human progress, following roads, railways, electricity, and the internet.
“But AI cannot stand alone. Its true power is unlocked only through robust, intelligent connectivity. Without networks, there is no digital economy,” he said.
He argued that telecoms operators sit “at the very heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution” and that NetOne’s responsibility is to build the digital foundations for Zimbabwe’s future economy — enabling innovation, supporting enterprise, connecting communities, and driving inclusive growth aligned to Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.
Eng Mushanawani welcomed the launch of Zimbabwe’s National AI Policy earlier this year, calling it a watershed moment that signals government’s intent to use emerging technologies for national development. He said NetOne is backing that vision through continued investment in intelligent networks, with the goal of positioning Zimbabwe as a contributor rather than a spectator in the global AI shift.
He outlined how AI is already changing telecoms operations at NetOne:
. Moving from reactive fixes to anticipating congestion and identifying faults before they affect customers, with real-time optimisation across wide geographies.
-Delivering personalised, seamless, and responsive services.
– Cybersecurity: Using AI to detect anomalies and protect critical infrastructure amid rising digital threats.
But he stressed that technology must translate into better lives:
“AI must not widen the digital divide — it must bridge it. For Zimbabwe, AI offers a unique opportunity to expand access to essential services and create opportunities for underserved communities.”
NetOne, he said, is committed to ensuring digital transformation reaches every part of the country, making AI a tool for empowerment, innovation, and inclusion.
Looking ahead, he said the future of telecoms “will not be defined by faster networks alone. It will be defined by smarter networks — networks that learn, adapt, anticipate, and empower.”
Closing the address, he framed NetOne’s role beyond connectivity:
“We are not merely connecting devices. We are connecting people to opportunity. Communities to knowledge. Businesses to growth. Zimbabwe to the future.”
Eng Mushanawani ended with a call to build a digital future that is “innovative, inclusive, secure, and beneficial to all” summarised as: Powering Connectivity. Powering Innovation. Powering Inclusion. Powering Zimbabwe’s Digital Future.