Econet extends smartphone credit scheme repayment terms from 3 to 24 month

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Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has expanded its popular smartphone credit scheme, Kancane Kancane, by extending the repayment period from just three months to up to 24 months – with no initial deposit required.

The move is set make smartphones significantly more affordable through the flexible repayment options of 6, 12, 18 and up to 24 months, with monthly instalments starting from as little as US$3.28 – depending on the device selected.

Econet said the scheme is open to all salaried individuals – including civil servants, teachers, nurses, students and young professionals – and is designed to help bridge the country’s digital divide

“We’re giving our valued customers the chance to step into the digital world without the burden of high upfront costs,” the company said in a statement.

As mobile banking, e-learning, online shopping, telehealth and remote working become increasingly central to daily life, the high cost of smartphones remains a barrier for many.

According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), smartphone penetration stood at just 55% at the end of 2024, leaving nearly half the population digitally excluded.

But by eliminating the deposit requirement and stretching repayment terms to two years, Econet is ensuring that even low-income earners and rural communities – where affordability remains a major challenge – get to participate in the digital economy.

To access the Kancane Kancane smartphone credit facility, customers should simply visit any Econet Shop nationwide, undergo quick eligibility checks, and thereafter choose from a wide selection of smartphones – ranging from entry-level models to high-end devices.

The expansion of the scheme is expected to have a huge impact on Zimbabwe’s digital inclusion efforts, particularly as more services and platforms transition online. Customers are also encouraged to protect their new devices with Econet’s Moovah Mobile Phone Insurance, available from just US$1.23 per month, which covers accidental damage and quick repairs or replacement.

Econet hands over smart homes, cars & solar systems to lucky customers

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ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe on Friday handed over four residential smart homes, four brand-new cars and eight solar power systems to lucky winners of its 2024 ‘iJoy afta Joy’ Christmas Promotion.The life-changing prizes were presented at a ceremony held in Penrose, Nyabira, where winners received keys to their new homes and to brand-new vehicles.

Speaking at the event, Econet Deputy CEO Mr Roy Chimanikire, said the promotion was part of the company’s efforts to bring real and lasting joy to its customers, in line with its commitment to transforming lives.

“This campaign was more than just a festive celebration – it was about delivering real value and joy to our customers. It’s our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to the millions of Zimbabweans who walk this journey with us,” said Mr Chimanikire. “We are not only handing over houses and vehicles – we are handing over hope, dignity, and a fresh start for entire families.”

He explained that the promotion, which ran from December 2024 to February 2025, formed part of Econet’s broader strategy to reward customer loyalty whilst promoting clean, sustainable energy through the inclusion of solar systems.

For Loveness Zimwenje, who won one of the four smart houses, fully equipped with solar and security systems, the moment was almost surreal.

“I still feel like I’m dreaming. I never thought something like this could happen to someone like me,” she said. “People always doubt these promotions – but look at me now. I am living proof that it’s for real. If you ever hear the word ‘promotion’ and ‘Econet’ in the same sentence, don’t even hesitate. Participate – and your life could change overnight.”

“I’m forever grateful to Econet, to everyone who came to support us, and to Leengate for building us such beautiful homes.”

Tapiwanashe Magaya, who drove away in a brand-new Suzuki S-Presso, said his life had taken a dramatic and unexpected turn.

“To be honest, I thought this was one of those things you only see on TV – never in real life,” he said. “But today, the impossible became possible. When I held those car keys in my hand, I realised this wasn’t luck – it was Econet recognising our loyalty.”

The Suzuki S-Presso is a compact city car known for its fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability in urban environments. It features a 1.0-litre engine and is available with both manual and automatic transmissions.

Vimbai Chako, the youngest house winner at just 27, could not hide her disbelief and pride.

“I still can’t process it. This is nothing short of a miracle,” she said. “Econet has given me a future I never imagined. I can’t wait to decorate every room and make memories here.”

For Raphael Murambiwa Motsi, winning a complete solar energy system wasn’t just about convenience, it was about independence.

“When I heard I’d won a solar system, I thought maybe a small panel – just something basic,” he recalled. “But what I received is a full solar solution. It means freedom from blackouts, from power bills, from worrying whether my children can do their homework at night. It’s more than a prize. It’s a lifestyle upgrade. Thank you, Econet, for lighting up our homes – and our lives.”

Since the launch of the annual Christmas Promotion in 2019, Econet has given away over US$1,75 million worth of prizes, including 12 smart homes, 16 residential stands, 48 solar systems, 5 brand-new cars, 5 holiday packages, and over 10 000 customers have won cash, stoves, fridges, holiday packages, airtime bundles, and many more.

Econet Victoria Falls Marathon showcases Zimbabwe’s global tourism appeal

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The 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon – held in the resort town over the weekend – attracted more than 5 200 runners from 40 countries across the world, underlining its role as a key driver for Zimbabwe’s world-class, sporting tourism destination status. Participants from as far afield as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Kenya and South Africa converged on the resort town – which attained city status in 2020 – for the annual race, held against the backdrop of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

For many – such as returning French runner Marie Dubois – the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has become an annual pilgrimage. “This is my third time running here, and every year I’m blown away by the hospitality, the organisation, and the unforgettable magic of this place,” she said.

A spokesperson for a UK-based team of runners fundraising for Play it Forward, a charity that uses football to uplift vulnerable children in Zambia, said they were using the goodwill generated by the Marathon to mobilise support for worthy causes. “The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has become a beacon of global goodwill. We are using this platform to raise awareness and support for programmes focused on education, health and gender equality,” the group said.

Kenya’s long distance runner Rosina Kiboina, who won the female veterans’ full marathon in a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes and 6 seconds, commended the positive energy around the Marathon. “The atmosphere here is different. You can feel the energy of the Falls and the people pushing you forward,” said Kiboina. Kiboina competed in veterans’ marathon category — reserved for runners aged between 40 to 49 years. She remarkably secured fifth place in the overall women’s 42km marathon, earning widespread praise for her endurance and humility.

Meanwhile, the marathon brought a significant boost to the local economy, with hotels, lodges, and restaurants operating at full capacity and local shops and vendors reporting brisk business throughout the weekend.

Victoria Falls Mayor, Councillor Prince Moyo, lauded the event’s positive impact on the tourism sector. “This marathon is now a fixture on the global athletics calendar. It strengthens our brand as a must-visit destination while creating jobs and business opportunities for our residents,” he said, speaking soon after the Marathon on Sunday. “Victoria Falls has buzzed with energy this week as over 5 000 runners from more than 40 countries joined us for this iconic event. Your participation has showcased our world-class talent and highlighted our wildlife, adventure, hospitality and cultural treasures, delivering a vital boost to our local tourism businesses,” said the Mayor of the host city.

Econet hosts exclusive golf tournament for top clients ahead of Vic Falls Marathon

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ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe is, on Saturday 4 July 2025, set to host an exclusive golf tournament for over 120 of its top high-value clients at Elephant Hills Golf Club in Victoria Falls as part of a premium weekend of sport and client engagement activities. The event, which precedes the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon taking place on Sunday is aimed at strengthening strategic relationships with the company’s top-tier corporate and individual clients.

“This golf experience is our way of recognising and celebrating the continued support of our most valued clients. It’s also an opportunity to engage in a relaxed and inspiring setting, while showcasing the best of Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality offerings,” said an Econet spokesperson.

Participants are lined up for an early tee off on Saturday morning at the championship 18-hole course renowned for its lush fairways and unique proximity to wildlife. The tournament is expected to conclude in the afternoon, followed by a cocktail reception and prize-giving ceremony, where guests will enjoy networking in an exclusive, high-level setting.

The golf day is part of a wider Econet-hosted weekend that includes the much anticipated Marathon, now in its 18th edition and attracting thousands of local and international runners from over 34 countries. “As a proudly Zimbabwean brand, we are honoured to help position Victoria Falls not only as a world heritage site, but also as a premier destination for sport tourism and global events,” said the spokesperson. “Our investment in events like this reflects our confidence in Zimbabwe’s future and our commitment to creating shared value with our customers.”

Intercity relay marathon ignites road to Vic Falls

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The journey to one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders has burst into life with the launch of the Asambeni Malegends Intercity Relay Marathon, which kicked off in spirited fashion at Long Cheng Mall in Harare on Saturday. This electrifying initiative — powered by Econet Wireless in collaboration with Urban Africa — serves as the official prelude to the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon (EVFM), Zimbabwe’s premier international sporting event, set to take place on Sunday 6 July at Baobab Primary School in Victoria Falls.

Covering an ambitious 825 kilometres across several provinces, the relay is more than a race — it’s a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and national pride. Culminating at the marathon venue just a day before the big race, the event stitches together communities, celebrates Zimbabwean talent, and reaffirms the country’s place on the global sports map.

The relay features 33 runners, each hailing from towns and regions along the route. Every athlete completes a 25-kilometre leg during daylight hours, carrying not just a baton, but the spirit of their communities. The race was set in motion by Felistas Murinzi, who ran the first leg to Norton. From there, the baton passed to Lynell Howera, who powered on to Chakari, followed by Edwin Phinias to Mhondoro, Washington Huchu to Chegutu, and Takunda Mawire, who brought the day’s journey to a close in Kadoma.

Upcoming legs will take the runners through Kwekwe, Gweru, Bulawayo, and Hwange, before crossing the finish line at 5:30 PM on Saturday, 5 July, in Victoria Falls. To ensure smooth operations and runner safety, the relay is supported by a MARS ambulance, escort vehicles, and dedicated security teams throughout its course.

According to Urban Africa, this campaign is a bold expression of its mission to deepen customer engagement, build emotional brand connections, and spotlight Zimbabwean excellence. “The Asambeni Malegends relay is more than a marketing activation — it’s a unifying force, rallying Zimbabweans behind a shared sense of purpose, wellness, and national pride,” said the company.

The relay is a key highlight in the build-up to the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, which will welcome athletes from over 34 countries this year, cementing its role as a major international draw and a catalyst for tourism and brand visibility. The marathon festivities will conclude with the high-energy Buddie Beatz concert, expected to attract thousands of participants and spectators, wrapping up a week of sport, celebration, and community connection.

As the runners blaze their trail toward the thundering Victoria Falls, crowds are turning out in force along the route — cheering them on, waving flags, and transforming towns into festive hubs of support and shared national spirit.

Econet’s OmniContact, UN Women launch Project Ignite to empower women and youth in digital economy

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OmniContact BPO Services, an Econet Wireless Zimbabwe division focusing on business process outsourcing, and UN Women – the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Zimbabwe – have joined hands to launch Project Ignite. This ground-breaking initiative seeks to equip women and youths with the skills and tools that will create opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in the country’s growing digital economy.

In a joint statement, the two organisations said the public-private partnership seeks to empower thousands of Zimbabwean women and young people to become digital leaders, technology-driven entrepreneurs, and active contributors to the future of work.

Despite their critical roles in communities and households, many women and young people in Zimbabwe continue to face barriers to economic inclusion, including limited access to stable income, job opportunities, and entrepreneurial support. These challenges are particularly acute for those facing multiple layers of disadvantage, such as rural women, young mothers, and persons with disabilities.

“Project Ignite is more than an initiative – it is a movement to ensure that women and youth have a real stake in Zimbabwe’s economic future,” said Fatou Lo, UN Women’s Country Representative in Zimbabwe, at the launch of Project Ignite in Harare on Tuesday (July 1, 2025). “We are proud to collaborate with the private sector in delivering practical, scalable solutions to digital inequality,” she said.

OmniContact, a key player in Zimbabwe’s BPO sector, is set to play a pivotal role in providing the infrastructure, training platforms, and employment linkages necessary to operationalise the programme. “We believe the future of work in Zimbabwe must be inclusive. By investing in women and youth, we are not only tackling inequality – we are strengthening our national workforce and economic competitiveness,” said Mr Otis Makahamadze, the Chief Operating Officer of OmniContact.

He added that as Zimbabwe advances towards its Vision 2030 development goals, Project Ignite offers an example of how strategic partnerships can drive inclusive growth, digital innovation, and sustainable empowerment.

Decades of economic fluctuations, deindustrialisation, climate-related shocks, and health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a disproportionate impact on women’s livelihoods. At the same time, underfunding for gender equality programmes has further widened gaps in access and opportunity. Although the digital economy offers significant potential in areas such as remote work, e-commerce, and tech entrepreneurship, the gender digital divide remains a major concern, with many women and young people lacking the digital skills, connectivity, or resources to benefit fully from these opportunities.

OmniContact and UN Women Zimbabwe said it is in this context that they have launched Project Ignite – as a timely, strategic response aimed at narrowing the digital divide while creating inclusive pathways to economic empowerment.

Underpinned by a blended financing approach, OmniContact and UN Women said the initiative will be rolled out using four key models designed to address different facets of inclusion such as Digital Leader Model, which enhances digital literacy, confidence and access to technology for women and girls. Another pillar is the Impact Sourcing Model, which aims to create employment opportunities in digital services for young women, including roles in call centres, remote tech support and data processing. The third pillar is the Business Accelerator Model, that supports women-led enterprises to leverage digital tools for growth, resilience and market expansion. The last pillar is the Women’s Empowerment Principles Framework, which seeks to engage the private sector, government and civil society in promoting gender equity and mobilising investments towards women’s participation in the digital economy.

Victoria Falls Marathon expected to draw more than 5 000 participants

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THE Econet Victoria Falls Marathon returns on July 6, 2025, bringing with it the adventure of long-distance running amidst the beauty of one of Zimbabwe and the continent’s iconic tourist destinations. Now in its 18th year and set to inject a welcome boost for the local tourism and hospitality sector, the marathon has grown to become a signature event on the continent’s sporting calendar, drawing elite athletes, amateur runners, wellness and fitness enthusiasts, families, and pure adventure-seekers from across the world.

Econet Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Douglas Mboweni, said preparations were well underway for the marathon, promising a world-class experience for the more than 5 000 participants expected at this year’s event. “The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has become a very important event in African sport and among wellness enthusiasts. We are excited to once again welcome runners from all walks of life – both elite athletes, chasing records, and families and friends out to enjoy a fun run in one of the world’s most scenic settings,” he said.

Describing the event as more than just a race, Dr Mboweni added that the marathon reflects Econet’s values of promoting wellness, family and community. “This is not just a marathon – it is an experience. Running across the Victoria Falls Bridge, with the mist of the mighty Falls rising all around you, is something breathtaking. It celebrates the spirit of Africa – of resilience and community – and it displays the wonder of God’s creation,” he said.

Running under the inspiring theme ‘Road2Victory – Asambeni Malegends,’ the marathon unites runners of all abilities in a dynamic range of events – from the gruelling 42.2km full marathon and the competitive 21.1km half marathon, to the popular 7.5km family fun run.

Dr Mboweni said Econet’s long-standing support of the marathon reflects its corporate belief in promoting health, fitness and community well-being. “As a proudly Zimbabwean company, we are committed to initiatives that uplift communities and promote tourism in our country. This event places a global spotlight on Zimbabwe and gives international visitors a taste of our warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, and pristine and natural beauty,” he said.

Ahead of the event, Econet’s Deputy CEO Mr Roy Chimanikire confirmed that key logistics were already being finalised with organisers working around the clock with local authorities, emergency services and tourism and travel players, to ensure everything is in place in good time. “We are working closely with all stakeholders to make sure we deliver an enjoyable, safe and smooth event. We have also deployed new technologies for registration and race tracking, to enhance the overall experience for our participants and spectators alike,” Mr Chimanikire said.

With the marathon weekend widely regarded as one of the busiest weekends on the city’s local calendar, Mr Chimanikire said the event continues to bring tangible benefits to Victoria Falls and its surrounding communities. “Hotels are already fully booked for the event, restaurants will be bustling with activity, and even small businesses — from transport operators to curio sellers — will similarly see a huge upswing in business activity. It is indeed the kind of positive economic impact we are proud to support,” Mr Chimanikire said.

Econet expands 5G network deployment

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ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe (Econet) has deployed 60 fifth-generation (5G) network sites across the country, a move that is set to give the operator a competitive advantage in the telecommunications sector grappling with digital infrastructure gaps. The deployment of these new sites will enable faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved network reliability.

Data and internet services are crucial to the group’s operations, contributing 42 percent of total revenue in the just-ended financial year.

“We successfully completed our core network upgrade in the second half of the financial year. Base station deployment efforts continued with the commissioning of 77 new sites, modernisation of 246 radio access sites, and upgrading of 265 microwave access links,” Econet’s chairman James Myers said in a statement accompanying financials for the year ended February 28, 2025. In addition, the group managed to deploy 10 lightweight, cost-effective base stations designed to provide mobile network coverage in remote, rural areas.

“Crucially, over the past 12 months, Econet undertook a significant reorganisation of its mobile network operator (MNO) and fintech businesses, aimed at driving growth, efficiency and innovation. This strategic transformation has yielded the intended benefits, positioning us for continued success,” said Myers, underlining that they are set to focus on leveraging the strengths of the integrated businesses to deliver enhanced value to stakeholders.

Consequently, MNO recorded a year-on-year growth in data and voice traffic of 36 percent and 23 percent, respectively. “This growth was enabled by our modernised network, our ability to innovate and offer services that address the evolving needs of our customers,” stated Myers.

The group’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation margin softened to 47 percent from 48 percent. The improved revenue performance enabled the business to continue to invest in network infrastructure, a catalyst to drive revenue growth and data usage, which is forecast to continue on an upward trajectory in line with global trends.

Myers added that they are looking to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) into their processes to enhance operational efficiencies and drive cost productivity. “Looking ahead, leveraging innovation and deepening AI infusion into our operations to enhance operational and cost efficiencies will position the group to grow, diversify our product and service offering and drive revenue growth whilst protecting our margins,” he stated.

Going forward, the company will continue to make investments in digital transformation, embracing new technologies and actively pursuing strategic opportunities to enhance and complement its product portfolio. “By harnessing the power of AI, we aim to create seamless experiences for our customers across all business segments,” said Myers.