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The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has reported a 1.23% uptick in mobile and internet subscriptions for the second quarter of 2025. According to the latest Sector Performance Report, active mobile and internet/data subscriptions have risen markedly, reflecting growing consumer reliance on digital communication tools.
The report reveals that active mobile subscriptions grew by 1.23%, climbing from 15,893,626 in the first quarter to 16,089,628 by the end of June 2025. This growth has pushed the mobile penetration rate above 102%, indicating that mobile services now exceed the country’s population, a trend common in markets with multiple SIM card ownership.
Even more striking was the expansion in internet and data subscriptions. The number of active internet/data subscriptions surged by 7.40%, from 11,942,857 to 12,827,031. As a result, internet penetration rose by 5.64 percentage points, reaching 81.83% of the population. This jump highlights the accelerating integration of digital services into everyday life, from social communication to business and education.
In contrast, the fixed-line telephony segment remained largely stagnant. Active fixed telephone subscriptions saw a negligible increase of 0.002%, moving from 300,748 to just 300,753. Fixed tele-density held steady at 1.92%, reinforcing the long-standing preference for mobile over traditional landline services in Zimbabwe.
The data usage figures further illustrate this digital shift. Mobile internet/data traffic grew by an impressive 17.31%, from 114.02 Petabytes to 130.14 Petabytes. Fixed internet usage via Internet Access Providers (IAPs) also saw a strong increase of 12%, from 333.47 PB to 372.4 PB. These numbers suggest not only more subscribers but also higher consumption per user, likely driven by increased availability of content, streaming services, and remote work or learning applications.
The report presented by the Director General of POTRAZ, Dr. G. K. Machengete attributed the growth in mobile and internet adoption to several factors, including improved network infrastructure, competitive data pricing, and the rising utility of online platforms. “The sustained investment in high-speed networks, including LTE and upcoming 5G deployments, is making internet access more reliable and appealing to a broader segment of the population,” he noted.
The decline in PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) voice traffic by 9.67% during the same period further emphasizes the migration to internet-based communication. Applications such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and other over-the-top (OTT) platforms are increasingly replacing traditional voice calls, a global trend that Zimbabwe is clearly following.
The subscription growth has also had a positive impact on sector revenues. Mobile Network Operators saw a 9.24% increase in total revenue, reaching ZWG 6.71 billion, while IAP revenues grew by 4.74% to ZWG 2.36 billion. This financial health signals not only higher usage but also improved viability for service providers, potentially encouraging further infrastructure investment.
Looking ahead, POTRAZ expects these trends to continue. The ongoing rollout of advanced networks is set to support new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence, which will require and further incentivize robust internet adoption. However, the report also cautions that with increased connectivity comes heightened risks, including cyber threats, necessitating public awareness and strengthened regulatory frameworks.
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