Zimbabwe’s state-owned mobile network operator, NetOne, closed 2025 with strong momentum, as the latest Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Fourth Quarter 2025 Sector Performance Report paints the picture of a company steadily strengthening its position in the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.
Beyond the numbers, the report reflects a broader story about Zimbabwe’s shifting telecommunications landscape — one increasingly driven by mobile internet demand, rural digital inclusion and investment in broadband infrastructure.
One of the standout performances for NetOne during the quarter was its growth in mobile internet and data traffic. According to the POTRAZ report, the operator recorded an 18.5 percent increase in data traffic, rising from 25.29 billion megabytes in the third quarter to 29.97 billion megabytes in Q4.
The growth positioned NetOne among the strongest-performing mobile network operators during the period and translated into a 1.14 percentage point increase in market share within the mobile internet and data segment.
The figures highlight the accelerating appetite for broadband connectivity in Zimbabwe, where consumers are increasingly relying on mobile internet for business, education, entertainment and financial services. They also suggest growing consumer confidence in NetOne’s evolving digital service offering.
Subscriber numbers also continued to edge upward. NetOne’s active subscriber base increased from 4,062,894 to 4,101,492 during the quarter, reinforcing the operator’s sustained relevance in a highly competitive market.
A key driver behind the growth has been aggressive infrastructure expansion. POTRAZ noted that NetOne “continued to make strides particularly in 3G and LTE deployments, to expand its network coverage.”
During the quarter, the operator rolled out 89 new LTE base stations and expanded its 5G network footprint from 21 to 26 sites. The continued investment is helping position NetOne as a critical player in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda, particularly as demand for high-speed internet services continues to grow across the country.
Perhaps most significant is the company’s growing dominance in rural connectivity infrastructure. According to the report, NetOne now accounts for 46.14 percent of Zimbabwe’s rural base stations.
That footprint carries major developmental implications.
In many remote communities, mobile connectivity is no longer simply about communication. It has become an essential gateway to online learning, mobile banking, agricultural markets, healthcare information and digital commerce. In areas where fixed broadband infrastructure remains limited, mobile networks are increasingly serving as the backbone of economic participation and social inclusion.
For rural farmers, small businesses and students, the expansion of broadband infrastructure can mean easier access to markets, educational resources and digital financial platforms. This makes rural telecommunications investment not just a commercial undertaking, but a strategic national development intervention.
NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the latest sector results reaffirm the company’s commitment to inclusive digital growth.
“These results affirm our commitment to connecting communities, empowering businesses and accelerating Zimbabwe’s digital transformation through resilient and accessible network infrastructure,” said Engineer Mushanawani.
The operator has also been broadening its service portfolio around customer accessibility and affordability. From enhanced OneMoney services to targeted broadband packages for students, entrepreneurs and rural users, NetOne has increasingly focused on aligning products with the realities of Zimbabwe’s evolving digital consumer base.
Outside its core telecommunications business, the company has continued expanding its corporate social investment programmes. These include borehole drilling initiatives in drought-prone communities, support for digital learning in schools and partnerships with healthcare institutions on wellness programmes.
The report also reflects a company attempting to build a more inclusive organisational culture. Women now account for 436 of NetOne’s 1,045 employees, an indication of growing gender diversity within a sector traditionally dominated by men.
Engineer Mushanawani’s recent induction into the Business Leaders Hall of Fame 2026 further signals growing recognition of NetOne’s transformation drive and expanding influence within Zimbabwe’s telecommunications industry.
Analysis: Why NetOne’s Q4 Performance Matters
NetOne’s latest performance comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector is rapidly transitioning from a voice-driven industry into a data economy centred on broadband connectivity, digital services and platform ecosystems.
The sharp rise in data traffic is particularly significant because it mirrors broader structural changes in consumer behaviour. Zimbabweans are increasingly conducting business online, using digital payment systems, accessing educational content through mobile devices and relying on internet-based communication platforms. In that environment, operators with strong broadband capacity and wide network coverage are likely to gain strategic advantage.
NetOne’s continued expansion into rural areas may ultimately prove to be one of its most important competitive strengths. While urban markets are becoming increasingly saturated, rural Zimbabwe still presents substantial opportunities for subscriber growth, mobile financial services expansion and digital inclusion initiatives.
The operator’s infrastructure investments also align closely with Zimbabwe’s broader digital transformation ambitions under Vision 2030, where connectivity is increasingly viewed as a key enabler of economic productivity, innovation and inclusive development.
However, sustaining this momentum will require continued investment in network quality, service reliability and affordable data offerings, particularly in an environment characterised by foreign currency pressures, rising infrastructure costs and growing competition within the telecommunications sector.
Even so, the Q4 2025 figures suggest that NetOne is steadily evolving from a traditional mobile operator into a broader digital services player with growing national relevance — especially in the race to connect underserved communities and expand Zimbabwe’s participation in the digital economy.
