Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has brought early Christmas cheer to eight winners of the company’s 2023 Christmas promotion, with each lucky customer receiving a brand-new residential house fully equipped with a home solar system and Econet Smart Home security. The grand prize giveaway ceremony, held at Penrose Estate in Nyabira, about 30km north-west of Harare on Wednesday, was attended by the lucky winners and a team from Econet led by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Kezito Makuni. The Christmas promotion, dubbed “iKhisimusi Sifikile, Kisimusi Yatosvika – Tapinda Sesingenile” which was valued at over US$350 000, ran from November 2023 to February 2024. To qualify, Econet customers would simply recharge their mobile phones with at least US$5. During the promotion period, hundreds of participants won various prizes, including smartphones, gas stoves, airtime, cash prizes and branded regalia. Speaking at the handover ceremony of the houses, the winners expressed deep gratitude to Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe’s leading telecommunications and technology company, for the gesture. One of the grand prize winners, Ropafadzo Msida, a 25-year-old lady from Chiredzi, was ecstatic at winning a smart-house. “I never imagined I would win something so monumental. This house is more than just a prize; it’s the foundation of my family’s future. I am beyond thankful to Econet for making this possible,” said Msida, visibly emotional as she received the keys to her new home. Another winner, Rebecca Mushuku from Gutu in Masvingo, shared similar sentiments, saying she was in disbelief when she first heard she had won, and only believed after she had physically seen the house and signing the ownership papers. “All along, I thought it was a scam until I came here. Winning something this big was beyond my wildest dreams. I’m so thankful to Econet for turning my dream into reality,” she said. For Memory Chinyama, the news that he had won a house came at the perfect time. “I’ve been renting for years, and owning my own home seemed like a far-off dream. When I received the call, I was overwhelmed with joy! Thanks to Econet, I now have a place to call my own, which has completely transformed my life,” said Chinyama.

In addition to the grand prizes, Econet awarded home solar kits to other winners, a utility gift as Zimbabweans and the region at large continue to battle persistent power challenges. Rachidi Julius, from Raffingora, one of the solar kit recipients, expressed his appreciation: “With the ongoing power challenges, this solar kit will make a world of difference in my household. I can now rely on consistent power. Thank you Econet for this life-changing Christmas gift.” Meanwhile, five other lucky winners walked away with exciting holiday packages, with Econet sponsoring all-expenses-paid trips to Victoria Falls. Leon Masamba, one of the vacation package recipients, could hardly contain his excitement: “My family and I haven’t gone on a holiday in years, so this trip feels like a dream come true. God bless you Econet!”Makuni, hailed the success of the promotion, affirming the company’s commitment to rewarding its customers in meaningful ways. “We are excited at the overwhelming participation and level of customer engagement we have witnessed in our Christmas promotion. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to our valued customers in a way that positively impacts their lives. “Our customers are at the heart of our business, and this initiative is more than just rewards — it’s about making a tangible difference in our customers’ everyday lives. “We believe these gifts will bring joy and meaningful change to their lives just in time for the upcoming Christmas holidays,” Makuni said.

ECONET’S innovative smart meters, designed to transform water and energy management while driving sustainability across Zimbabwe’s key economic sectors, stole the limelight at the recent Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. The cutting-edge e-M2M (Machine-to-Machine) integrated solution leverages advanced sensors, digital connectivity, and intuitive cloud-based software to provide real-time monitoring of crucial parameters, including temperature, humidity, location, energy consumption and water usage – all of great utility value in efficient resource management in critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining. “Our smart meters – also known as the Cold Chain, Water and Energy Management Solution – are a transformative solution designed to empower businesses, public enterprises and local councils to optimize their operations, create efficiencies by minimizing waste and promote sustainability. “We believe that this technology can be a real game-changer across multiple sectors of the economy,” said Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s chief operating officer, Mr Kezito Makuni.

During the weeklong exhibition, Econet’s stand was abuzz with activity, drawing in commercial farmers, industry leaders, Government officials, policy makers and individual consumers – all eager to learn more about the ground breaking technologies the company was exhibiting. Mr Makuni said the smart meters offer substantial benefits for both water utilities and their customers. “This powerful water monitoring solution enhances water management, reduces waste, improves customer service and supports the efficient and sustainable use of water resources, essentially modernizing water infrastructure management and ensuring communities have access to clean water,” he said. The introduction of smart meters comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, which remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. Water management, in particular, is vital for agricultural productivity, given the sector’s heavy dependence on a reliable and consistent water supply. With Econet’s smart meters, farmers can monitor water consumption in real-time, detect leaks instantly and optimize usage, thereby ensuring crops receive the necessary amount of water without any wastage.

“Our solution allows farmers to make informed decisions about water use, helping them to conserve the precious resource while maximizing crop yields. It’s about creating a sustainable future for Zimbabwean agriculture, and guaranteeing food security,” Mr Makuni said. He added that other water-intensive industries, such as manufacturing and mining, also relied on effective water management in maintaining sustainable operations. “By exposing these sectors to detailed insights on water use, our e-M2M solution supports conservation efforts and drives significant cost savings,” Mr Makuni said, stressing that the solution was not limited to one industry. He added that efficient energy management was also a critical feature of the solution, allowing businesses to track and optimize their energy usage, reduce costs and contribute to a more sustainable environment. “In an economy, like many others in the region, where energy costs and supply issues still pose significant challenges to industries, the ability to monitor and manage energy consumption in real-time provides a competitive advantage and supports the creation of a resilient, efficient, and sustainable economy,” Mr Makuni said.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s leading telecommunications and technology company, has won both the Best Overall Stand and Best ICT Exhibitor awards at the 2024 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS). The accolades are a recognition of the cutting-edge technology Econet is providing to multiple sectors of the economy, including the key agricultural sector. This year Econet’s stand at ZAS features engaging and interactive digital displays of its current services, showcasing product use cases as well as offering sneak previews into the future. The displays feature immersive Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) capability demos, which visitors to the Show have been sampling and trying for themselves.

In addition, Econet has added a 3D Digital Billboard chronicling the company’s journey with its customers over the past 26 years. An Econet spokesman said this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show’s theme: “Cultivating Prosperity: Growing Business. Innovating for Change. Nurturing Our Future,” sat well with the company’s commitment to leverage ICT to drive economic development and agricultural growth. Fungai Mandiveyi, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s Media and Corporate Affairs Executive, said the Best Overall Stand and Best ICT Exhibitor awards that the company won, were a testament to the company’s innovation culture. “We are grateful for the recognition, and believe it partly stems from our innovation culture as a business.  “Our stand this year showcases how our products and services are transforming agriculture and positively impacting the economy by enabling farmers to access real-time information, connect with markets and improve productivity through the appropriate use of technology,” he said. The Econet stand – which features a range of innovative products and services tailored for the agricultural sector, the financial services sector and insurance sector, among others – has been attracting thousands of visitors, including policy makers, industry leaders and farmers keen to learn how digital solutions can enhance their farming operations. The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, one of the nation’s premier trade show, attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors annually from various sectors, showcasing the best of Zimbabwe’s agriculture, manufacturing and technology industries.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s ambitious nationwide network upgrade has begun to reap rewards, with customers across the country starting to notice a marked improvement in network service quality. Over the past two years, Econet has undertaken modernisation work on its mobile network infrastructure. The upgrade work has included the rollout of 5G technology, the accelerated upgrade of 3G sites to faster and enhanced LTE (4G) technology, and the deployment of new network sites in areas where there was previously sparse or no coverage. In Mashonaland East, customers have reported significant improvements in connectivity and call quality, thanks to the infrastructure upgrade work in the province. Customers have particularly credited the network modernisation work with transforming their digital experience in the province, delivering on the company’s commitment to deliver technology that improves the lives of people. Ms Tarisai Chokuposha, a businesswoman from Makaha in Mutoko, said Econet’s network upgrade had yielded tangible benefits in her business operations. “The new 4G technology is much faster and has simplified the process of ordering products from countries like Tanzania and South Africa for me, making my business operations better. “We are even using WhatsApp to sell to our customers, and so we are grateful to Econet for upgrading their network here.” Many Econet network users in the province have reported a significant improvement in their customer experience and a drastic reduction in connectivity issues.

Ms Sharon Marume, a resident from Wedza said: “The network is now very good. We can connect to our social media platforms without any challenges. It feels like a new era for us.” Ms Pauline Makuzunga, another customer from Mudzi in Mutoko, expressed her delight at the improved quality of service. “We are incredibly happy with what Econet has done here. One morning we just woke up and saw that LTE (4G) was now connecting on our phones. It was like a gift,” she said. Her comments highlight the welcome nature of the improvements, which have significantly enhanced the user experience. Dallen Mudzengerere, a tech-savvy user from Murehwa, commended the speed of the new network technology. “The network is now very fast, and we are enjoying every moment of it. It used to be quite a bit slow to connect, but now we connect ‘just like that’. This is what we needed.” His comments reflect a growing appreciation for the reliability and efficiency of the upgraded services. Besides Mashonaland East, Econet has invested significantly in upgrading its network infrastructure across the country to 4G, including upgrades major cities like Harare and Bulawayo, where it has also deployed the superfast 5G technology. The company deployed over 1 000 LTE (4G) base stations across the country, over the past year alone, underlining its commitment to continuously improving network quality and the overall customer experience.

ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe has reported significant growth in both data and voice usage, with increases of 74 percent and 46 percent respectively for the first quarter ending May 31, 2024, compared to the same period last year.
In its latest trading update, the technology and telecommunications firm said data and voice revenue now contributed 42 percent and 38 percent of the company’s total revenue respectively, a shift from 33 percent and 45 percent respectively in the first quarter of 2023.
“The marked growth in data usage underscores the need for sustained network expansion and upgrades to adequately meet the ever-increasing demand for mobile broadband and digital services,” the company stated.
“With the advent of 5G, IoT, and other cutting-edge technologies, the need for robust, agile, and future-proof network infrastructure has become more pressing than ever.”
During the quarter, Econet commissioned over 30 new sites across the country, enhancing network performance and quality of service. The company said it plans to continue its network modernization programme, extending coverage in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
“Increasing our 5G penetration is also a key initiative, with plans to commission additional 5G sites by the end of the financial year,” said the company.
To address the growing utilization of data services, Econet has added functionalities to its core network, transitioning to a cloud-based system that promises better service personalization to meet diverse customer needs.
However, it said it has faced significant challenges due to ongoing power cuts, leading to increased costs for backup power and investment in solar energy.
“Load shedding on the national power grid continues to negatively affect the business through reliance on costly backup power to maintain the requisite network uptime and meet quality of service standards.
“The business continues to invest in renewable energy sources like solar power,” it said.
Following the acquisition of FinTech businesses from EcoCash Holdings, Econet’s mobile money unit delivered a strong performance, driven by a growing active customer base and increased usage of its digital financial services.
The mobile money business saw active customers grow of 189 percent, compared to the first quarter of the prior year, with international remittance values increasing by 265 percent.
EcoCash has also continued its partnerships with Mobile Transfer Agencies from various source markets to terminate into the EcoCash wallet, leveraging its distribution network for customers to access funds. This is expected to drive further growth in remittance values in the coming period.
The synergies between Econet’s digital insurance platforms and mobile money ecosystem have led to increased adoption and cross-selling opportunities.
The life insurance business recorded a 14.2 percent growth in premiums against the last quarter, while Airtime Cover subscriptions under EcoSure exceeded 400,000 by the end of the quarter. Maisha Health Fund saw a 5.5 percent growth in gross premiums compared to the prior period.
Moovah, Econet’s short-term insurance business, recently introduced mobile phone insurance, reinforcing its position as a pioneering leader in the market and reaffirming its commitment to innovation and responsiveness to customer needs.
“We remain dedicated to expanding our offerings and focusing on customer insights to provide comprehensive and tailored insurance solutions, enabled by the Group’s capacity to develop agile products,” said the company.
In the quarter ended May 31, 2024, Econet declared and paid an interim dividend of 0.26 US cents per share.
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Popular Bulawayo-based dance group IYASA wowed local and international athletes and their families and friends at the just-ended 2024 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon.
The award-winning dance group exhibited boundless energy, artistry and passion as they entertained visitors on arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, during the marathon and after the event.
This year’s marathon, which took place on Sunday July 7, attracted over 5 200 participants from across the world, including runners from as far afield as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Germany and India, demonstrating its growing international appeal.
A spokesperson for IYASA said the dance group was delighted to take part in a national event that had now taken on international significance.
“Performing at the Econet Vic Falls Marathon, welcoming and meeting so many people from around the world and getting to interact and entertain them, was a most amazing experience,” said Mercy Kayumba, a member and spokesperson of the dance group.
“This Marathon is such a big event that the hype is impossible to ignore. So just being a part of it was incredibly exciting for the IYASA group,” she said.
“This time around, we did activations leading to the marathon and had our team at various water points during the actual marathon. It was an opportunity for our team, especially the younger ones, to grow their art and be more versatile,” Kayumba said, explaining their involvement with Econet well before the marathon.
The group’s dancers performed at various water points along the marathon race routes, transmitting some much-needed energy and motivation to the runners, and displaying the typical cultural richness that one only experiences in Africa.
The IYASA spokesperson said the Econet Vic Falls Marathon offered them a unique platform to showcase the group’s versatility, after spending nearly seven days interacting with the company staff and marathon participants in the resort town.
“Participating in something different like the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon really pushed our group to grow as artistes, because they were not just performing on stage, but literary everywhere,” she added.
IYASA, which stands for ‘Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts’, is a Bulawayo-based arts institution.
The group, which has toured several countries around the world – including France, Spain and Australia, among others – has won multiple local and international awards since it was founded over 20 years ago.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon event, Kayumba lauded Econet’s efforts in hosting the marathon.
“Sometimes we underestimate how big this marathon is. Credit to Econet for holding such a successful event annually. It never gets watered down, but actually gets bigger and bigger each year. We truly enjoyed every part of it,” Kayumba said.

ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe has reported significant growth in both data and voice usage, with increases of 74 percent and 46 percent respectively for the first quarter ending May 31, 2024, compared to the same period last year.
In its latest trading update, the technology and telecommunications firm said data and voice revenue now contributed 42 percent and 38 percent of the company’s total revenue respectively, a shift from 33 percent and 45 percent respectively in the first quarter of 2023.
“The marked growth in data usage underscores the need for sustained network expansion and upgrades to adequately meet the ever-increasing demand for mobile broadband and digital services,” the company stated.
“With the advent of 5G, IoT, and other cutting-edge technologies, the need for robust, agile, and future-proof network infrastructure has become more pressing than ever.”
During the quarter, Econet commissioned over 30 new sites across the country, enhancing network performance and quality of service. The company said it plans to continue its network modernization programme, extending coverage in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
“Increasing our 5G penetration is also a key initiative, with plans to commission additional 5G sites by the end of the financial year,” said the company.
To address the growing utilization of data services, Econet has added functionalities to its core network, transitioning to a cloud-based system that promises better service personalization to meet diverse customer needs.
However, it said it has faced significant challenges due to ongoing power cuts, leading to increased costs for backup power and investment in solar energy.
“Load shedding on the national power grid continues to negatively affect the business through reliance on costly backup power to maintain the requisite network uptime and meet quality of service standards.
“The business continues to invest in renewable energy sources like solar power,” it said.
Following the acquisition of FinTech businesses from EcoCash Holdings, Econet’s mobile money unit delivered a strong performance, driven by a growing active customer base and increased usage of its digital financial services.
The mobile money business saw active customers grow of 189 percent, compared to the first quarter of the prior year, with international remittance values increasing by 265 percent.
EcoCash has also continued its partnerships with Mobile Transfer Agencies from various source markets to terminate into the EcoCash wallet, leveraging its distribution network for customers to access funds. This is expected to drive further growth in remittance values in the coming period.
The synergies between Econet’s digital insurance platforms and mobile money ecosystem have led to increased adoption and cross-selling opportunities.
The life insurance business recorded a 14.2 percent growth in premiums against the last quarter, while Airtime Cover subscriptions under EcoSure exceeded 400,000 by the end of the quarter. Maisha Health Fund saw a 5.5 percent growth in gross premiums compared to the prior period.
Moovah, Econet’s short-term insurance business, recently introduced mobile phone insurance, reinforcing its position as a pioneering leader in the market and reaffirming its commitment to innovation and responsiveness to customer needs.
“We remain dedicated to expanding our offerings and focusing on customer insights to provide comprehensive and tailored insurance solutions, enabled by the Group’s capacity to develop agile products,” said the company.
In the quarter ended May 31, 2024, Econet declared and paid an interim dividend of 0.26 US cents per share.
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COLLEN Ann Rowe (50) based in Saudi Arabia, is on cloud nine as she is participating for the first time at the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon which had eluded her since 2007.
A teacher by profession, Rowe, who is accompanied by her daughter Kelli Ann Rowe (20) and her 73-year-old mother Ina Johanna Cochran, said a combination of factors including commitment at work as the marathon would fall during the school term where she was teaching, and relocation to other places made her fail to register for the marathon.
She has done a number of marathons before in Colombia, where she was once based, China and South Africa.
Rowe and her daughter Kelli are running the 21.5km half marathon at the 2024 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon while her mother Cochran who is based in Durban, South Africa, is accompanying them for support. Rowe is using the event as a birthday celebration for herself after turning 50 recently.
“The Victoria Falls Marathon has been on my bucket list since 2007 and I am happy that this time I am here for it,” said Rowe after collecting her badge.
He commended Victoria Falls’ hospitality.
“I currently live in Saudi Arabia. I am here to do the half marathon and I had wanted to do this race since 2007 when I first heard about it but it never worked. So, finally this year is my year and I have been able to bring my mom and my daughter and they are very excited to be finally visiting Victoria Falls.
“I am school teacher so it would happen when schools are open or when I am travelling. I just turned 50 and so I decided I should come celebrate here. It is lovely here and everybody has been so friendly and welcome. I have done a couple of races like the national half marathon in South Africa where I used to live, and I have done races in Colombia and China,” she said.
Her daughter Kelli who is based in Spain said she was excited to be in Victoria Falls.
“It’s very important for me to be here because my mother is a runner and she has been dreaming of this race since when I was very little. So I am joining her in this race. I have done a 10km before and that’s furthest I have ever run, so I am doing 21.5km this time and we will see how it goes. I am very excited to be here, Victoria Falls is beautiful and the people are very kind. Everyone is loving, we have been here a day and so far its been very beautiful,” she said.
Cochran is here to support her daughter and granddaughter.
“I am from Hilcrest, Durban in South Africa. I had never been to Victoria Falls so my daughter said we should come. I love this country, it is clean and unbelievably wonderful. I am not running but will be supporting my daughter and granddaughter,” she said.

Today’s marathon event, the16th edition of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon themed “Road to Victory”, is offering the full Econet 42.2km race, as well as the 21.1km Econet Half Marathon for the seasoned marathon runners.
With a roar that only rivals the mighty Victoria Falls itself, the 2024 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon kicked off early this morning, as an estimated 5 500 athletes and fitness enthusiasts from across the world got off the starting blocks, runnig in the backdrop of the awe-inspiring ‘Smoke that Thunders’ and Seventh Natural Wonder of the World.
Today’s marathon event, the16th edition of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon themed “Road to Victory”, is offering the full Econet 42.2km race, as well as the 21.1km Econet Half Marathon for the seasoned marathon runners.
The event is also offering the Steward Bank 10.5km relay half marathon, featuring two runners in each team, completing a total of 21km. Last but not least, today’s event is featuring the hugely popular EcoSure 7.5 km Family Fun.
Earlier on, last year’s full marathon winners Blessing Waison (male category) and Ethel Pangiso (female category) expressed their determination to defend their titles.
The Harare-based Waison, a Cadence Athletics Club runner, improved his time by three minutes to win last year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon in 2 hours 15 minutes and 11 seconds. Waison beat second-placed Elijah Mabhunu by more than two minutes (2:17:21), while Lyno Muchena was third in 2 hours 17 minutes and 30 seconds.
Prosper Mutwira finished fourth in 2 hours 17 minutes and 41 seconds, while veteran runner Mike Fokoroni dropped from fifth to eighth last year, finishing in 2 hours 22 minutes and 32 seconds.
Fresh from winning the Tanganda Half Marathon in Mutare last week, Black Rhinos athlete Moses Tarakinyu hopes to defend his Econet Victoria Falls Marathon 21km title. Last year he finished the race in 1 hour 4 minutes and 19 seconds, winning the race for the third consecutive time.
Another top Zimbabwean long-distance runner, Isaac Mpofu is participating in today’s race as part of his preparations for the Olympics later this year.
“In terms of my preparations, everything is well in place. I have been putting in the work as the countdown to the Olympics continues. As part of my preparations, I will be taking part in the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon,” Mpofu said.
“This should allow me and my coaches to see where we are in terms of preparations.”
Econet chief operating officer Kezito Makuni, speaking in Victoria Falls yesterday, said he was excited that Econet is successfully hosting the Marathon again this year.
“We are excited at the level of participation by atheletes from our country, from the region and from around the world at the Econet Vic Falls Marathon,” Makuni said.
“It is clear this event now transcends the competition of the atheletes and the promotion of health and fitness, and has evolved into a celebration of life, family, friendships and the spirit of multicultural community that this resort town embodies as an international tourist destination and hospitality centre.”

LOCAL and national artistes captivated a full-house live audience at the Buddie Beatz Victory Show as the curtain came down on the 2024 Econet Vic Falls Marathon at Baobab Primary School in the resort town on Sunday evening.
While the performance of the national stars lived to its billing, it was the appearance of the local artistes that was met with familiar enthusiasm and acclaim, marking a significant moment for the local music scene.
Sharing the stage and standing shoulder to shoulder the with national superstars such as Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi, Nutty O, Tocky Vibes, King Her and DJ Chiweda, Victoria Falls-based artistes Ray “Muffia King” Karipache, DJ CJ (Tawanda Cephas Junior Matema) and Daniel “Danman Croc” Ngwenya acquitted themselves well as they gave powerful performances in front of an estimate 5 000-strong audience.
“It was an awesome concert. It felt good being back in my hometown and performing alongside my colleagues who are also in the music industry,” said DJ CJ, soon after the music extravaganza, which has now become a tradition the evening of the Econet Vic Falls Marathon.
He lauded Econet Wireless, through the Buddie Beatz Victory Show, for “gifting” local artistes the exposure by affording them the opportunity to perform on a big stage to a huge crowd.
“I saw my fellow artistes, born and breed in this city, performing in front of a huge crowd. The night surely brought exposure and unity amongst artistes around the nation as we were gifted the space we have always craved for our growth on the music scene,” DJ CJ said.
Daniel “Danman Croc” Ngwenya was equally elated by the event’s success and the audience’s response.
“It was a great event for me, and the way people gave me feedback was just amazing. I feel everyone enjoyed my performance because of the reactions I noted from the crowd. It was certainly a great night for all the local artists because their performances were amazing and the reception by the crowd was just wonderful,” he said.
Danman Croc noted that Buddie Beatz Victory Show was the biggest event of his career, saying: “This is the biggest event I have performed in my career, and it means a lot for my growth as an artiste.”
Ray “Muffia King” Karipache highlighted the event’s great organization, along with the amazing support from the audience.
“The stage was well set, the treatment we got was super as we managed to perform without any glitches. I really enjoyed the way I performed in front of all those people, and the support was just something else,” he said.
“As artistes in Victoria Falls, we have so much talent that is looking for recognition and an opportunity. Getting opportunities like the Buddie Beatz Victory Show means we are exposed to Zimbabwe and the rest of the world,” he said.