Harare, Zimbabwe | In a powerful address at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), the NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer joined industry titans and academic leaders for the latest Zimpapers Public Lecture Series, reinforcing the critical link between corporate accountability and national prosperity.
The event, which featured Dr. John Panonetsa Mangudya, CEO of the Mutapa Investment Fund, as the keynote speaker, served as a platform to discuss the transformation of Zimbabwe’s investment culture and the modernizing of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Economic Stability: A Historic Milestone
Addressing the gathering on January 30, the NetOne chief highlighted a monumental shift in the nation’s macro-economic landscape. Citing recent ZIMSTAT data, he noted that annual inflation on the ZiG index plummeted to 4.1% in January 2026, down from 15% in December.
“This is our first single-digit print since 1997,” the CEO noted, attributing the stability to ongoing financial reforms. He emphasized that this cooling inflation, coupled with positive seasonal rainfall forecasts, creates a fertile environment for telecommunications growth and national food security.
NetOne’s Mission: Closing the Digital Divide
As Zimbabwe’s second-largest mobile operator boasting over 4.1 million subscribers, NetOne is leveraging this economic stability to accelerate its “Digitalise Zimbabwe” agenda. The CEO outlined several key projects aimed at ensuring no citizen is left behind:
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Rural ICT Development: Establishing labs in schools such as Shanagiso Secondary to empower the next generation.
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Infrastructure Expansion: Rapidly deploying 4G coverage to previously underserved rural districts.
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Roving ICT Expos: Utilizing “digitrucks” and community hubs to provide coding programs and digital literacy training.
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Connectivity: Creating widespread Wi-Fi zones to facilitate entry into the digital economy.
The “Conscience” Contract
With many SOEs now falling under the Mutapa Investment Fund, the NetOne head issued a call for ethical leadership. He noted that while formal performance contracts are essential, the “greatest performance contract remains one’s conscience.”
“Accountability, transparency, and integrity are the operating system of any nation seeking durable prosperity,” he stated. “This inner accountability is what will anchor the opportunity-rich Zimbabwe we seek.”
The lecture concluded with a reaffimation of the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mandate, positioning NetOne as a pivotal player in the country’s journey toward a tech-driven, middle-income economy.
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