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By Ross Moyo
NetOne, the state-owned telecommunications provider provided the digital backbone and logistical support for ZBC’s Z+ OTT platform launch on 9 July 2026 at Monomotapa Hotel, Harare. This milestone achievement is to advance National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030 through inter-SOE collaboration by supplying high-speed broadband, extensive coverage and promotional assistance to make Z+ accessible nationwide and to the diaspora.
The Z+ launch was more than a media milestone — it was a case study in strategic enablement under the Second Republic, where State-owned enterprises align resources to deliver on national priorities.
NetOne was explicit that it did not build the Z+ platform. Instead, it supplied the “digital roads” — 4G LTE, 5G and fibre — that let ZBC’s content reach students, farmers, families and professionals in every corner of Zimbabwe and abroad.
The model reflects NDS2’s emphasis on a whole-of-government approach. NetOne positions itself as a strategic enabler of Government’s digital transformation agenda, aligning capex and partnerships with the goal of an empowered, prosperous, digitally connected society.
Eng. Raphael Mushanawani
, Group CEO, said connectivity is the prerequisite for a digital economy. That view drives NetOne’s investments across sectors. In youth empowerment, it works with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training to bridge digital skills gaps for 5.4 million young Zimbabweans.
In tourism, NetOne partnered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to digitise inspections and connect tourist sites, helping transform the country into a smart tourism destination. Tourism already contributes over 15% of national GDP.
Financial inclusion is another pillar. OneMoney extends mobile money to unbanked communities, while Digital Schools Connect brings ICT labs and internet to rural schools, directly supporting universal digital literacy goals under Vision 2030.
ESG is central to NetOne’s operations. The company uses IoT sensors for wetland monitoring and runs nationwide clean-ups. It also supports healthcare and disaster relief connectivity, framing corporate responsibility as nation-building, not obligation.
“NetOne did not build the platform, but its connectivity makes the platform a reality,” the company said. As it enters its fourth decade, NetOne’s mandate is to ensure the digital economy leaves no place and no one behind. The Z+ launch, officials said, shows what SOE collaboration can deliver when aligned to Vision 2030.
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