Econet Zimbabwe advances 5G tower rollout, AI strategy

by MARCUS MUSHONGA
HARARE, (CAJ News)– ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe has commissioned 200 new base stations, including 95 5G sites, across the country over the past financial year.

The operator, the largest in the sector in the Southern African country, disclosed the expansion in its audited abridged consolidated financial statements for the year ended February 28, 2026, where it also announced the acceleration of its artificial intelligence strategy and the commencement of its Technology City project.

Also during the period, Econet’s subscriber base grew to 73,75 percent of total subscriptions in Zimbabwe.

Dr James Myers, Chairman of the Board, released the results late on Thursday.

He said of the commissioning of the base stations, “This is in support of the continued increase in data consumption and to prepare for further growth in digital services.”

“We continue to leverage new technology to enhance our robust digital platforms and to transform from a communications provider into an AI and digital services business.”

According to the results, the business achieved 23-percent revenue growth anchored by positive performances across all major segments. Volume growth in data and voice services was 100 percent and 35 percent respectively.

Econet views AI as pivotal to its growth strategy.

“It is the most transformative technology of our time,” Myers stated.

“The transition from a telecommunications company to an AI-enabled digital services provider is already underway and accelerating.”

Myers said Econet AI, the recently launched AI unit, was bringing world-class AI technologies and cloud-based computing power to the African market through partnerships with leading global companies.

He said Econet AI was developing products and services that represent a significant growth opportunity for the business.

“Econet AI is starting to provide sector-specific AI solutions for the Zimbabwean market, as well as AI integration across the Econet Zimbabwe Group.”

Other key projects include Technology City and luxury villas in Victoria Falls.

Design and construction work has commenced on Technology City on 800 acres of land owned by Econet near the International Airport in Harare.

This development is set to be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and is positioned to become a strategically significant technology centre for Southern Africa.

The luxury villas to be developed in Victoria Falls by the infrastructure company, Econet Infraco, will have amenities that include a private hospital, helicopter landing sites, gyms and health and wellness facilities.

The business is now a fully integrated, vertically aligned technology company with communications at its core.

Econet InfraCo, an infrastructure spin-off following its delisting from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, was listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange in March 2026, creating the largest integrated infrastructure company in Zimbabwe.

With an initial market capitalisation of US$1 billion, Econet InfraCo is the largest initial public offering in local capital markets history.

– CAJ News