State-owned telecoms operator NetOne is repositioning itself from a connectivity provider to a sector-wide digital platform, leveraging a new partnership with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to anchor itself in high-value economic activity.
At a signing ceremony in Harare on Wednesday, NetOne group chief executive officer Raphael Mushanawani outlined a strategic shift that reframes the operator as an embedded enabler of industry transformation, starting with tourism.
“As NetOne, we see ourselves not merely as a telecommunications provider, but as a national enabler, a digital partner, and a key pillar in Zimbabwe’s transformation journey,” Mushanawani said, signalling an intent to redefine the company’s commercial and strategic footprint.
The agreement with ZTA provides a practical launchpad for this transition, enabling NetOne to integrate its network, platforms, and services directly into the operational core of a key economic sector.
“We gather here today not merely to sign an agreement, but to advance a shared national agenda driven by innovation, inclusion, and digital transformation,” he said.
Under the partnership, NetOne will digitise ZTA’s inspectorate systems, embedding its technology into the regulatory processes underpinning the tourism industry.
“The provision of ICT tools, secure connectivity, and integrated digital platforms will allow for real-time data collection, improved regulatory efficiency, and enhanced service delivery across the country,” Mushanawani said.
This evolution effectively positions NetOne as a platform business — capturing value not only from data traffic, but from enabling transactions, compliance, and service delivery across an entire ecosystem.
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The commercial implications are significant: deeper institutional contracts, recurring service revenues, and stronger client lock-in across the public sector.
Beyond backend systems, NetOne is also expanding into the customer-facing side of tourism, aiming to control the digital interface through which visitors engage with Zimbabwe.
The company is expanding network coverage in key tourism corridors and destinations, rolling out Wi-Fi in strategic locations, and introducing e-tourism SIM solutions designed to improve accessibility and convenience for international travellers.
These offerings move NetOne closer to the end user — creating new monetisation channels while reinforcing its relevance beyond traditional subscriber services.
They also position the operator as a gateway for digital services, including payments and local content, across the tourism value chain.
“These are not isolated interventions — they are part of a deliberate and sustained effort to ensure that Zimbabwe’s tourism sector remains competitive, connected, and responsive to the demands of a modern digital world,” Mushanawani said.
The ZTA deal also underscores NetOne’s expanding role within the government’s “whole-of-government approach,” where state-owned enterprises act as delivery vehicles for policy objectives.
“This partnership is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through a whole-of-government approach, where institutions come together with a shared purpose to deliver impactful and lasting results,” he said.
Mushanawani added that NetOne intends to leverage tourism’s growing international profile to deepen its market reach.
Zimbabwe’s recognition “as one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations affirms the strength of our brand, the richness of our heritage, and the resilience of our people,” he said.
By aligning itself with this growth narrative, NetOne is effectively converting national brand equity into commercial opportunity.
The tourism partnership is expected to serve as a template for expansion into other sectors, as the operator seeks to replicate a model built on infrastructure, platforms, and integrated services.
