All data are collected in the Fiscal Year of 2008-2009.

Zimbabwe / Telecommunications

Econet Wireless is a diversified telecommunications group with operations in nine countries in Africa, Europe and the East Asia Pacific Rim, offering products and services in the core areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, internet and satellite. The group is headquartered in South Africa and runs each operation as a stand-alone entity with full local board and management control. Econet currently has operations and offices in Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Lesotho, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK and Zimbabwe.  
Econet Wireless (Private) Limited is the cellular network operator and main subsidiary of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Econet Wireless Holdings Limited (EWH), a company with interests in telecommunications and other sectors of the Zimbabwean economy.

The company's network was launched in 1998 and the holding company listed on 17 September 1998, and is now one of the largest listed companies on the ZSE in terms of market capitalization.

Other companies under EWH include YourFone, the largest public pay phone operator in Zimbabwe, with a presence in all major cities, as well as in the larger commercial agricultural centres. In addition to owning its own pay phone shops, Econet has franchised the concept under which the pay phones are owned by small business people who have assumed a significant role in the economy.

Also in the group is Ecoweb, the largest independent internet service provider in Zimbabwe, serving both corporate and individual dial-up customers, as well as operating internet cafes across the country and at Econet retail outlets; Transaction Processing Systems, a leading provider of financial transaction switching, point-of-sale and value-added support services that is exploiting the convergence of banking, information technology and telecommunications; and Econet Capital, the vehicle through which the group invests in various sectors of the economy, and also has significant shareholding in listed companies, Kingdom Financial Holdings Limited and First Mutual Limited.

Econet Wireless (Private) Limited has a subscriber base of 1 200 000 (28 February 2009).

Econet Park, 2 Old Mutare Road, Msasa, Harare;
Telephone: +263 912 222 407 / +263 4 486121

Econet’s mobile cellular operations offer a comprehensive suite of pre- and post-paid cellular services through unique brands. These include Buddie, a pre-paid product offering; Libertie, a hybrid pre-paid contract package; and Business Partna, the premium post-paid package for corporate organizations, business executives and high net-worth customers. The Group through its operations also offers international roaming, internet and satellite, as well as public pay phone services.

848 employees

Econet is the largest telecommunications company in Zimbabwe, with an overall market share of over 61 percent of the total mobile sector.

Econet Wireless plans to become the dominant telecoms player in Africa in the next five years and is also vying for a stake in Europe’s data and satellite sector. Econet plans to position itself as the dominant telecoms bridge between Africa and Europe by building voice, Internet and satellite infrastructure between the continents, as well as building local mobile and terrestrial infrastructure across Africa.

‘’The company operates an effective business model that has been successfully applied in our international operations. The model is based on five key strategies focusing on subscriber growth and penetration, subscriber airtime utilization, focused tariff policy, products that enhance the average revenue per user and network capacity and quality.

‘’To remain at the top, the company relentlessly pursues innovative strategies and constantly grows its knowledge base with uncompromising passion for excellence.

‘’Previously, the focus was on being an operator, with expansion being carried out on a project by project basis. However, a new structure has since been introduced at Group level through the investment in the company by core investors, which brings together a winning combination. Changing the customers’ world has required Econet to take a holistic approach to the successful provision of world class telecommunication services. We have expanded our operations to encompass all aspects of the provision of telecommunications services, and in addition to cellular services, Econet is now established in the core areas of internet, fixed wireless, phone shop, satellite and transaction processing services. The focus is now more on positive transformation of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we operate, hence our current corporate positioning which is summarized in the pay-off line “Inspired To Change Your World”.

‘’The Key Elements of the Positioning are:

Communicates the willingness, inner drive, motivation and commitment that the company has in providing “Total Communication Solutions” to both our existing and potential customers, as well as the community at large. We seek to delight our customers and inspiration is key to this whole process.

Communicates the positive impact and transformation that the company’s presence and innovation will have on people’s lives. Econet’s service experience will transform lives and lifestyles, situations, systems and the way of doing business. In addition to offering “Total Communication Solutions”, the company engages in aggressive community activities that seek to improve the lives of the under-privileged of the society.

Communicates the personal touch the company will provide to its “source of money” – the customer. The company recognizes each customer as an individual and not a statistic. We do not focus on groups but on “your individual world”. Whatever your circumstances are, Econet will bring about a positive change to your life.

Communicates the global presence. No matter where you are, foreign country, urban areas, semi-urban areas or rural areas, Econet has a communication solution to suit your needs and through its activities will touch your life in one way or another.’’

Econet Wireless (Private) Limited is 100 percent owned by Econet Wireless Holdings Limited (EWH)

In 2004 Econet was accused by the government of funding subversive activities. It was alleged that Econet was not remitting to the Government foreign currency earned from calls made into the country, and risked having its licence withdrawn. The state-owned Herald newspaper claimed Econet was using the proceeds of its foreign currency earnings "to finance subversive activities to undermine the Zimbabwe Government". Econet's founder and major shareholder, Strive Masiyiwa is also the publisher of The Daily News , an independent daily that was shut down by police in September 2004 for operating without registration.

In 2007, Zimbabwe passed a new law allowing the government to monitor telephones, mail and the Internet. The law, the Interception of Communications Act, gives enormous powers to government to intercept any communications.

In June 2009, the government began discussing a new Information Communication and Technology Bill, which will take the place of the Broadcasting Services Act and the Postal and Telecommunications Act. If passed, the bill will consolidate ICT regulation under the proposed National Information and Communications Technology Authority of Zimbabwe, which will oversee ICT, broadcasting and postal services. The Authority will technically be an independent organization, though it will also be responsible for enacting government policies, a duty that may compromise its independence.

The new Information Communication Technology (ICT) minister Nelson Chamisa rapidly started to introduce changes in 2009. The government already launched a new communication policy in April 2009 which saw the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) approved the issuance of a 3G license and the lifting of restrictive import duties on ICT products. POTRAZ also reduced voice telephony tariffs by between 10 percent and 15 percent.

During 2009 Econet successfully launched 3G services. In July 2009 Econet announced a price cut on its bundled handset starter-packs in response to the removal of all duties on mobile phones.

In September 2009 Econet said it was planning to link up its network with the East African fibre optic cable to increase efficiency on its expanding platform.