NetOne @30: Three Decades Of Connecting People, Now Connecting Purpose

By Ross Moyo

NetOne was born in 1996 as Zimbabwe’s first mobile operator — NetOne Cellular. At launch, a SIM card cost US$100 and a call US$1 per minute. Coverage was Harare and Bulawayo only.

Thirty years later, it has 5 million subscribers, 1,200+ base stations, 4G in 70% of districts, and mobile money OneMoney with over 2 million active users.

But the brand challenge in 2026 is different: How do you celebrate 30 years when competitors — Econet with 68% share, Starlink with satellite — are fighting for the same rural customer?

NetOne’s answer: Celebrate with communities, not billboards.

The monthly First Friday clean-ups, in response to President Mnangagwa’s call, provide that platform.

In Gokwe — a NetOne stronghold where it competes head-to-head with Econet for farmer market — partnering Town Council says “we are local.”

In Bulawayo — where NetOne’s market share is strongest at 31% according to POTRAZ — partnering EMA and Council of Churches says “we are responsible.”

In Masvingo — a university town with a young population — partnering Don Bosco Primary says “we are future-facing.”

NetOne mouthpiece, PR NetOne PR Ernest Magadzire summed it up: “As NetOne marks 30 years of connecting Zimbabwe, the organisation remains committed to ensuring that its contribution to national development extends beyond digital connectivity.”

This is brand repositioning from telco to purpose-led corporate citizen.

According to Brand Africa 2026, Zimbabweans rank “community contribution” as the second most important driver of brand trust after network quality. Econet leads on innovation, NetOne now leads on community presence.

The tagline says it all: “NetOne @30: Three decades of connecting Zimbabwe, creating impact and building a sustainable future.”

Thirty years ago, NetOne connected the first call. Today, it is trying to connect the first collective action — cleaning the street where that call was made.