In Zimbabwe’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, one name has consistently stood at the forefront of transformation: NetOne Cellular.
As the nation marches towards the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the state-owned telecommunications giant has redefined its role beyond that of a traditional service provider, emerging as a pivotal architect of an inclusive, intelligent, and innovative digital future.
For NetOne, artificial intelligence is not a distant concept but a present-day strategic enabler. The company is weaving AI into the very fabric of its operations, transforming how networks are managed and how customers are served. By deploying AI-enabled optimisation tools, NetOne is shifting from reactive network management to predictive, autonomous operations, allowing it to anticipate congestion, optimise resources in real time, and deliver superior service quality even in the most demanding conditions.
This AI-driven strategy was on full display at the 3rd Edition of the Zimbabwe Annual Telecommunications Conference and Exhibition (ZATCE 2026), where NetOne showcased its AI-enabled systems and predictive analytics. The company’s vision is clear: to evolve from a telecom provider into a technology-driven digital services company where smarter connectivity powered by AI drives national development.
NetOne’s AI journey is unfolding in lockstep with Zimbabwe’s national ambition. The recent launch of Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030) — a framework built on pillars such as talent development, digital infrastructure, and sector adoption — has created a clear roadmap for innovation. Eng. Raphael Mushanawani, NetOne’s Group CEO, has articulated the company’s commitment to this vision, emphasising its role as a key enabler in implementing the strategy.
“Our responsibility extends beyond providing communication services. We are building the digital foundations upon which Zimbabwe’s future economy will operate,” he said, adding that NetOne is positioning itself to ensure Zimbabwe is not just a participant in the global AI revolution, but a contributor to it. This commitment is already visible through initiatives like the nationwide Wi-Fi hotspot rollout in key tourism zones, which is supported by AI-enabled optimisation tools, and the company’s investments in AI-ready infrastructure for sectors like tourism and agriculture.
While AI represents the future, NetOne’s dedication to community upliftment remains a cornerstone of its present-day mission. The company is leading a determined charge to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural areas where over 60% of Zimbabwe’s population resides. With NetOne now accounting for 46,14% of the nation’s rural base stations, the impact is tangible.
One of its flagship programmes, the Digital Schools Connect initiative, is equipping rural schools with state-of-the-art ICT laboratories. At Shanagiso Secondary School, Vice President Kembo Mohadi commissioned a facility that includes high-speed internet and modern e-learning tools, which he described as “a gateway to knowledge, to innovation, and to the future”. Similarly, in Beitbridge, NetOne merged an anti-drug marathon with the commissioning of a fully refurbished school featuring a solar-powered ICT lab.
Beyond infrastructure, NetOne is unlocking economic potential through OneMoney, its mobile money platform. By extending agent networks and remittance partners into rural areas, OneMoney is providing essential financial services to the unbanked and underbanked, helping to stimulate local economies by keeping cash circulation within communities.
Recognising that Zimbabwe’s future lies in its youth, NetOne has forged a powerful partnership with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training. This collaboration aims to roll out a nationwide digital empowerment programme that expands connectivity to vocational training centres, builds digital skills, and integrates young people as agents for digital and financial inclusion within their communities.
“Our objective is to ensure that young people are not only connected, but financially empowered to transact, trade and build sustainable livelihoods,” Eng. Mushanawani said at the signing ceremony, framing the initiative as a decisive step in “translating policy into action”. By integrating National Youth Service graduates into formal value chains, NetOne is converting connectivity into tangible opportunity and productivity.
From deploying IoT-enabled sensors to protect Zimbabwe’s wetlands to using digital platforms for drug abuse counselling, NetOne’s impact is both broad and deeply rooted in national priorities. As Eng. Mushanawani recently noted, “Technology must serve humanity, not replace it. It must uplift, not isolate”.
As the country embraces the AI era, NetOne stands ready as a key strategic partner. With a clear focus on smarter networks, financial inclusion, and youth empowerment, the company is not merely connecting calls — it is connecting Zimbabwe to a future of boundless digital possibility.