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By Ross Moyo
NetOne enabled nationwide access to ZBC’s new Z+ Over-The-Top streaming platform through its broadband infrastructure at the historic launch recently on 9 July 2026 at the iconic Monomotapa Hotel in Harare. The telcos thrust is to ensure millions of Zimbabweans at home and abroad can stream live TV, radio and on-demand content by providing high-speed internet, extensive coverage, and network resilience while supporting promotion and logistics.
While ZBC took centre stage with its homegrown digital service, NetOne stood behind the scenes not as a co-developer, but as the connectivity enabler whose investments in 4G LTE, 5G rollout and fibre infrastructure make Z+ accessible on any device, anytime.
NetOne’s role is deliberate: it does not build applications but builds the “digital roads” on which services travel. The company said it has invested heavily to ensure no Zimbabwean is left behind in the digital age, targeting urban, rural and diaspora users equally.
The Z+ platform allows users to stream live television, listen to radio and access on-demand content. NetOne’s network resilience ensures the service remains available during peak demand, a requirement for live broadcast streaming at national scale.
Group Chief Executive Officer Eng. Raphael Mushanawani has repeatedly said “content may be king, but connectivity is the kingdom upon which the digital economy is built.” That philosophy now underpins NetOne’s support for ZBC, with every network expansion tied to enabling national platforms.
Beyond media, NetOne’s infrastructure underpins other sectors. In tourism, it partnered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to digitise inspection systems, expand connectivity at tourist sites and integrate AI, supporting a sector that contributes over 15% of GDP.
In education, the Digital Schools Connect programme equips rural schools with ICT laboratories and internet access to drive universal digital literacy. In finance, the OneMoney mobile money platform extends services to unbanked communities, advancing economic inclusion.
The company also embeds sustainability in its operations. It deploys IoT-enabled sensors to monitor and protect wetlands and leads nationwide clean-up campaigns in response to President Mnangagwa’s call for a clean and dignified nation.
As NetOne enters its fourth decade, Mushanawani said the focus is deepening digital transformation and expanding access. “The first thirty years were about connecting Zimbabwe; the next thirty will be about empowering Zimbabwe to thrive in the digital age.” With Z+, NetOne reaffirmed that it is the backbone making national digital services a reality.
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