Zimuto of Black Rhinos Athletics Club delivered a commanding performance to win the men’s 42,2km race at the 18th edition of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon in the resort city yesterday, crossing the finish line in an impressive two hours, 16 minutes and 10 seconds.31-year-old soldier spearheaded a strong showing by Black Rhinos Athletics Club, which dominated the full marathon category, while Kenya’s Sylvia Kwambai claimed victory in the women’s race to add an international touch to one of Africa’s premier road-running events.

Zimuto, who has enjoyed an outstanding season, credited his victory to thorough preparation and the support he received from both his club and employer.

 

“I really enjoyed the race today. The course was challenging but the preparation I put in paid off. I want to express my gratitude to my bosses for giving me the opportunity and time to train properly. This victory means a lot to me,” Zimuto said in an interview shortly after crossing the finish line.

 

The Black Rhinos athlete controlled the race from an early stage and finished comfortably ahead of a strong field that featured some of Zimbabwe’s leading long-distance runners. The women’s full marathon, Kenya’s Sylvia Kwambai produced a superb performance to secure first place in a highly competitive field. An elated Kwambai said she was thrilled to emerge victorious in Victoria Falls.

 

“I am so excited to win this race. Coming all the way from Kenya to win here in Victoria Falls is a dream come true. The atmosphere was amazing and the support from the crowd kept me going,” Kwambai said.

 

The men’s full marathon podium was completed by Trust Tatenda Hove, who finished second, while Fatai Muldimba claimed third place to round off a strong showing by Zimbabwean runners.

 

In the women’s category, Kwambai led the charge ahead of a competitive field, underlining Kenya’s enduring strength in long-distance running.

 

The men’s half marathon (21,1km) title went to Godwin Katakura, who clocked one hour, four minutes and 30 seconds.

 

Moses Tarakinyu finished second in 1:05:09, while Andrew Dick came third in 1:06:09.
In the women’s half marathon, Mercy Chemutai took top honours in a time of 1:15:48. Melody Kaseke finished second in 1:16:47, while Peris Lobakan completed the podium places in 1:18:35.

 

The relay races also provided plenty of excitement, with teams battling fiercely for honours across the different categories.

 

Team Black Rhinos won the men’s relay race in 1:08:28, while Team Runmate claimed the women’s relay title in 1:43:58. Team Black Rhinos 1 Mixed emerged victorious in the mixed relay category with a time of 1:16:47.

 

However, it was not all good news for Zimbabwean athletics, as renowned marathon runner Isaac Mpofu was forced to withdraw from the full marathon after reaching the 25km mark.
Mpofu, who recently took part in the gruelling Comrades Marathon in South Africa, had been widely tipped as one of the favourites for the title but was unable to complete the race.
Guest of honour and Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, who presented prizes to the winners, hailed the marathon’s continued growth and its contribution to the city’s tourism and economic development.

 

The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has grown far beyond being a race. It has become an important platform for promoting our destination, stimulating economic activity and showcasing the very best of Victoria Falls to a global audience,” Moyo said.

 

“We are particularly encouraged by the strengthening partnership between Council and Econet. This partnership reflects a shared vision: that the success of the marathon should go hand in hand with the continued growth, prosperity and international profile of Victoria Falls.”
Councillor Moyo said the event’s growing popularity, which saw more than 6 000 runners participate this year, highlighted the need for stakeholders to explore ways of accommodating even larger numbers in future editions.

 

The successful staging of the 18th edition once again reinforced Victoria Falls’ reputation as one of Africa’s leading destinations for both sport and tourism, attracting athletes and visitors from across the region and beyond.

THE resort City of Victoria Falls was yesterday abuzz with activity as a record-breaking field of over 6 000 participants from more than 44 countries prepares to take part in the 2026 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon today.
The biggest marathon in the country has transformed Victoria Falls into a vibrant hub of international sport and tourism, with the full 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, family fun run, relay and categories for those with disabilities all set to grace the scenic route.
Saturday witnessed a hive of activity as participants flocked to the registration venue at a hotel in Victoria Falls to collect their race packs.
Simultaneously, organisers and exhibitors were putting the final touches on the main venue at Baobab Primary School, which serves as the race venue.
Race Director Brent Williams confirmed that it is all systems go for the flagship event.
“We have got just over 6 000 people entered this year. So, it’s a 14 percent increment on last year,” said Williams.
“The state of preparedness, everything is coming together. And we don’t anticipate having any issues.”
Williams said there has been meticulous planning that has gone into ensuring participant safety and comfort, revealing that logistical arrangements have been finalised.
“We have got toilets at all the water points. That’s just arrived from Bulawayo. National Parks rangers, anti-poaching unit rangers in the bushes to make sure that we keep the runners safe,” he said.
“All the water tables have their goods, all the water and coke and everything. And basically the balls are rolling.”
The race director also emphasised the growing international appeal of the event, noting that while Zimbabweans form the bulk of entries, the field is remarkably diverse.
“The biggest field in terms of entries is obviously the Zimbabweans. There is a substantial amount of South Africans, but we have got over 44 different nationalities that are going to be running this year,” Williams confirmed.
The international flavour of the event was evident at the registration venue, where runners from across the globe expressed their excitement after collecting their race packs.
Victoria Falls City hotels and guesthouses reported full occupancy.
The marathon has become a major driver of sports tourism for Zimbabwe, with the scenic route offering runners breath-taking views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The event, which started in 2006 with fewer than 300 participants, has grown exponentially, cementing its place as one of Africa’s premier destination marathons.

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is set to benefit from the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon set for July 5 as key sector players hail the iconic event as a major driver of sports tourism, economic activity and international destination marketing.

The marathon is expected to attract more than 5 000 runners from over 40 countries, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s premier destination sporting events.

What began in 2006 as a niche event has evolved into a globally recognised tourism attraction, drawing elite athletes, recreational runners and adventure seekers to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most celebrated natural destinations.

For tourism stakeholders, the marathon represents far more than a race.
It has become a catalyst for visitor arrivals, business growth and global exposure for ‘Destination Zimbabwe’.

Speaking ahead of the event, Zimbabwe National Parks (ZimParks) spokesperson Luckmore Safuli said the marathon aligns perfectly with the country’s ambitions to expand sports tourism and strengthen its competitiveness on the international travel market.

“Events such as the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon demonstrate the immense potential of sports tourism in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Every participant who travels to Victoria Falls becomes an ambassador for Destination Zimbabwe.

“They come for the race, but they also experience our hospitality, wildlife, culture and world-renowned attractions.”

Safuli said the economic benefits extend well beyond race day, generating business for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers and adventure tourism companies. Victoria Falls experiences a huge surge in visitor activity during marathon weekend, with many participants extending their stay to enjoy visits to the majestic Victoria Falls, game drives, helicopter flights, white-water rafting and many other holiday activities.

“We are seeing a growing trend of international runners combining competition with leisure travel,” he said.

“That is exactly what sports tourism is about. The marathon gives Zimbabwe an opportunity to showcase its tourism offering to thousands of high-value visitors from across the globe.”

The event comes as visitor numbers to the Victoria Falls Rainforest continue to rise. A total of 64 000 visitors were recorded during the first quarter of 2026, up from 60 000 during the same period last year, according to statistics released by ZimParks.

“The first-quarter statistics demonstrate growing confidence among visitors choosing Victoria Falls as their preferred destination,” Safuli said.

“Going forward, we expect Victoria Falls to attract even more visitors, contributing to Zimbabwe’s tourism growth.

“As ZimParks, we remain committed to ensuring that all tourists visiting this Unesco World Heritage Site enjoy a safe and premium experience.”

With several race categories already sold out, organisers say this year’s edition is on course to become the largest in the marathon’s 20-year history.

Tourism and hospitality operators have similarly welcomed the marathon’s growing impact on visitor arrivals and business performance.

Africa Albida Tourism sales and marketing director Anald Musonza described the marathon as one of Victoria Falls’ most important annual tourism events, highlighting its role in propelling demand across the hospitality value chain.

“The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon is a very important event for our destination,” Musonza said.

“One of the key growth areas for tourism globally is ‘MICE’ – meetings, incentives, conferences and events – and the marathon has become a significant contributor within that space,”.

“Every year, it brings thousands of visitors from around the world to Victoria Falls.

“The benefits ripple across the entire tourism economy, from hotels and restaurants to activity operators and transport providers.

“Ultimately, it supports livelihoods, creates jobs and drives demand for tourism products and services.”

Musonza said the event’s international reach also provides invaluable exposure for Zimbabwe and its tourism offering.

“With participants travelling from more than 40 countries, the marathon presents a unique opportunity to market both Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe to a global audience.
“It allows visitors to experience our products first-hand and become ambassadors for the destination when they return home.”

He said the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, owned and operated by Africa Albida Tourism, continues to benefit significantly from the influx of visitors generated by the event.

Regional Parks & Gardens

“We look forward to the marathon every year because it creates strong demand across our hotels, restaurants and experiences,” Musonza said.

“The Boma Dinner & Drum Show, in particular, remains a popular attraction for many of the runners and their families during their stay in Victoria Falls.”
Industry stakeholders say the marathon has become a textbook example of how sporting events can stimulate tourism-led growth while generating valuable international exposure for Zimbabwe.

Econet Victoria Falls Marathon race director Brent Williamson said the event’s appeal stretches far beyond competitive running.

“We have seen runners turn a race weekend into a week-long African adventure, and families travel together so that non-running partners and children can enjoy the destination while their loved ones compete,” he said.

“The lifestyle dimension is equally important. Our field spans every age group and fitness level, from elite athletes chasing prize money to first-time runners ticking off a bucket-list goal, and that inclusivity is something we are enormously proud of.”

Econet attracted significant attention at this year’s Agricultural Dealers and Manufacturers Association (ADMA) exhibition, with hundreds of farmers, agribusiness operators and industry stakeholders visiting its stand to explore digital technologies transforming modern agriculture.

 

The strong turnout reflected growing interest within Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector in technology-driven solutions that can help farmers improve productivity, manage climate-related risks and increase operational efficiency.

 

Throughout the exhibition, visitors engaged with Econet specialists and experienced live demonstrations of a range of digital agriculture solutions designed to support farmers across the entire agricultural value chain.

 

Among the technologies generating the most interest was EcoFarmer AI, an artificial intelligence-powered platform that provides farmers with real-time insights and recommendations to support decision-making. The platform uses data analytics to help farmers optimise production, improve planning and respond more effectively to changing agricultural conditions.

 

Visitors also showed keen interest in Econet’s Precision Agriculture IoT Sensor Solution, which uses connected devices to monitor soil moisture, crop health and environmental conditions in real time. The technology enables farmers to make informed interventions that enhance productivity while improving the efficient use of resources.

 

With climate variability increasingly affecting agricultural production, Econet’s Weather Intelligence and Risk Management Platform also drew considerable attention. The platform provides weather forecasting and risk-management insights that help farmers plan operations, minimise losses and build resilience against adverse weather conditions.

 

Another key attraction was the company’s Agricultural Equipment Tracking and Fuel Management Solution, which enables farmers and agribusinesses to monitor machinery performance, track equipment utilisation and improve fuel efficiency, helping to reduce operating costs.

 

The company further showcased its Integrated Farm Management ERP Platform, which streamlines critical farm operations including financial management, inventory control, workforce administration and production planning through a single digital platform.

 

Also on display was SmartSuite, Econet’s flagship Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution, which delivers high-speed internet connectivity to farms and rural enterprises, enabling access to digital services and smart farming technologies.

 

Speaking during the exhibition, Econet representatives said the level of engagement at the stand highlighted the increasing demand for technology solutions within the agricultural sector.

 

“Farmers are increasingly looking for practical digital tools that can help them improve productivity, manage risk and make better decisions. The strong interest we witnessed at ADMA demonstrates the growing role of technology in shaping the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe,” the company said.

 

This year’s ADMA exhibition attracted more than 280 exhibitors, including leading local and international agricultural machinery and technology companies. The event has become one of Zimbabwe’s premier agricultural showcases, bringing together farmers, manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers to explore innovations driving growth across the sector.

 

The strong response to Econet’s digital agriculture solutions underscores a broader shift towards technology-enabled farming as Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry seeks to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience in an increasingly challenging operating environment.

THE 2026 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon is the biggest edition in the event’s history after major race categories sold out nearly two months before race day, indicating the growing global appeal of Zimbabwe’s premier marathon. Scheduled for July 5 in Victoria Falls, the marathon continues to cement its status as one of Africa’s leading destination sporting events, attracting runners, health and fitness enthusiasts, along with adventure seekers from around the world. Organisers said the early sell-out reflects the event’s rapidly rising stature on the international running calendar, with participants increasingly planning travel well in advance to secure places at the globally recognised marathon experience. Last year’s edition attracted more than 5 000 participants from 46 countries, transforming Victoria Falls into a vibrant hub of sport, tourism and international cultural exchange. Race director Brent Williamson said the combination of world-class racing, breathtaking scenery and the unique atmosphere of Victoria Falls continues to drive the marathon’s growing popularity. Participants run across the iconic VictoriaFalls Bridge and through scenic national park routes, with the rare possibility of encountering wildlife along the course. Sponsored by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the marathon has evolved beyond sport into a major tourism and economic platform that continues to elevate Zimbabwe’s global destination profile.

President Mnangagwa and President Duma Boko visited the Econet Wireless stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Thursday, where they toured the stand led by a senior executive of the company.

 

The two heads of state – who were welcomed to the stand by the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon Tatenda Mavetera – were guided through Econet’s award-winning exhibition stand by the company’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roy Chimanikire.

 

President Boko was the guest of honour at this year’s ZITF, where he officially opened the international fair on Thursday (April 23).

 

Chimanikire walked the two Presidents through Econet’s range of strategic business units, including Econet AI, Econet InfraCo, the Econet telecom and digital mobile business, and EcoCash, the company’s fintech unit – among others.

 

Econet recently launched of its own dedicated AI business, called Econet AI, aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI across Zimbabwe’s economy, supported by its strong global partnerships.

 

Among the AI-driven products on display at the Econet stand is EcoFarmer AI – designed to boost productivity by empowering farmers with data-driven insights – and Yamurai, the intelligent AI-driven chatbot and virtual assistant that is proficient in local languages and built to enhance customer experience and digital engagement.

 

Econet is also exhibiting AI use-cases in education, through the Akello smart learning platform, and in healthcare services through its Mars and EcoSure Health units.

 

Econet InfraCo – the infrastructure platform company valued at an estimated US$1billion which was recently listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) – is also exhibiting at the ZITF.

 

The visit by the two Presidents is seen as a strong endorsement of home-grown, Africa-centric technology solutions and innovations and comes at a time Zimbabwe is accelerating its digital transformation agenda, with AI as a lever and catalyst for accelerated economic growth, productivity and global competitiveness.

Leading telecommunications and technology company Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has once again won the award for the overall best stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) – the Supreme Zimbabwean Exhibit Award, reinforcing its position as a leader in creative, digital innovation and immersive exhibition.

 

The award – a second consecutive win for Econet – underscores the company’s consistency in delivering a world-class exhibition aligned with strong consumer and business interest, and national and regional development priorities.

 

This year’s ZITF is running under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” highlighting the critical role of innovation, industrialisation, regional integration, and value addition in driving economic growth.

 

Judges said Econet’s exhibition distinguished itself through a bold and coherent interpretation of the theme, seamlessly blending advanced technology with practical, real-world solutions.

 

Econet’s stand features live demonstrations of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, while interactive and gaming zones enabling visitors to experience the company’s expanding digital ecosystem firsthand.

 

The exhibition stand showcases flagship platform services such as Econet InfraCo, EcoCash, EcoSure, Moovah, and Akello. Together, these platforms demonstrate how the company is building a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to empower individuals, businesses, and communities across Zimbabwe and beyond.

 

The exhibition also spotlights innovations from Econet’s AI unit, including Yamurai, an intelligent, multilingual customer engagement chatbot, and EcoFarmer AI, a solution aimed at transforming agricultural productivity through data-driven insights.

 

These developments reflect Econet’s growing investment in artificial intelligence as a catalyst for inclusive and accelerated economic growth.

 

The Econet stand also presents a robust suite of enterprise offerings under its Business Solutions unit, targeting digital transformation across key industries. This is over and above emerging innovations in gaming, the outcome of strategic partnerships with global and regional technology players, which reinforce the company’s collaborative approach to innovation.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has officially launched Econet AI, a new business unit aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across Zimbabwe’s economy.

 

Unveiled in Harare yesterday, Econet AI immediately introduced a suite of products and capabilities designed to accelerate AI use across the market, in multiple sectors, by corporate organizations and individuals. During the launch, Econet AI announced an exciting offer to Econet customers – starting in May (next month) – of free six-months access to Google Gemini, one of the world’s most advanced AI platforms. Google Gemini uses advanced multimodal generative AI models that simultaneously process, understand and create content across multiple data types – such as text, images, audio, video and code. Econet AI also introduced Cassava AiCloud, a platform that will give Zimbabwean enterprises access to high-performance computing, powered by NVIDIA GPUs – the super high-speed processors that can handle complex and multiple tasks simultaneously. The infrastructure is hosted at the Cassava AI Factory in South Africa, currently the only facility of its kind on the African continent.

 

Delegates to the launch included ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera – who was guest of honour – senior government officials, regulators, business leaders, equipment vendors and partners, suppliers and clients of the Econet group.
Econet Group Chief Executive Officer Douglas Mboweni earlier revealed that the AI unit had been evolving quietly over the past five years as an internal innovation hub.

 

“We have been using and applying artificial intelligence within our own operations – improving customer experience, optimising network performance and enhancing decision-making across the business,” he said. “Our experience shows that AI is a remarkable technology that every business should be deploying. It dramatically reduces costs and has the potential to significantly grow revenue.”

Econet InfraCo’s maiden trading on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange has materially lifted the exchange’s market capitalisation, adding just over US$900 million in equity value and pushing total market cap to approximately US$3.88 billion. The stock closed its first session at US$0.30 per share, before rising to US$0.33 by close of Wednesday trading, accounting for roughly 23% of the overall market value. This follows the strategic spin-off from Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, where infrastructure assets including telecom towers, energy assets and key property holdings were separated into a dedicated platform.

 

Strategically, the listing significantly strengthens VFEX’s scale, liquidity and product diversification, with exchange leadership highlighting the transaction as an important step toward deeper regional capital market relevance. The structure allows existing Econet shareholders to retain both direct and indirect exposure, while positioning InfraCo as a stable, yield-oriented infrastructure vehicle focused on long-term returns and expansion across critical sectors of the economy. For board-level interpretation, this reinforces both investor confidence in the InfraCo platform and VFEX’s growing stature as a regional capital formation hub.

Ericsson and Econet Wireless Zimbabwe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain to design, test and deploy next-generation mobile services in Zimbabwe powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G Advanced and enhanced network security.

 

The joint innovation programs will include initial focus areas such as AI-driven radio access network (RAN) optimization and energy-efficient network evolution, 5G Advanced features, AI-driven RAN, exposed network APIs, network slicing and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled services to enhance network performance, drive service reliability, and boost user experiences.

 

The collaboration will deliver practical solutions that support Zimbabwe’s national sustainability goals while enabling Econet’s continued network growth. Ericsson and Econet will deploy AI driven network optimization and automation to enhance energy performance and improve operational efficiency. Moreover, deploying energy efficient LTE and 5G solutions, and network architectures will reduce carbon footprint while expanding coverage and capacity

 

By combining advanced connectivity with automation and security capabilities, the collaboration aims to support Zimbabwe’s national ICT Policy 2022 – 2027 by enabling wider digital inclusion and facilitating new and improved digital services across sectors such as education, healthcare, enterprise and industry digitalization.
The collaboration is expected to improve network capacity, energy efficiency, and service reliability across key urban and rural areas.

 

“This memorandum of understanding with Ericsson reflects our continued focus on evolving our network capabilities to meet growing customer expectations and national digital priorities. By exploring AI-driven automation, advanced connectivity and sustainable network solutions, we aim to enhance service performance while enabling new digital opportunities across Zimbabwe.”

 

– Roy Chimanikire, Deputy CEO, Econet Zimbabwe
“Together with Econet Zimbabwe, we are advancing the evolution toward intelligent, programmable and more sustainable networks in the country. By leveraging Ericsson’s leadership in programmable and AI-native networks, this memorandum of understanding creates a framework for testing and deploying technologies that enhance network resilience, automation and service innovation to provide communities with advanced connectivity that can enable meaningful digital services in their daily lives.”

 

– Alain Maupin, Vice President and Head, Ericsson East and North Africa
The MoU builds on a trusted and long-standing relationship spanning more than 20 years, during which Ericsson has delivered core and radio network solutions supporting Econet Zimbabwe’s infrastructure.