• Econet deployed ten new base transceiver stations in rural areas, enhancing connectivity and further bridging the digital divide in underserved communities
• The company achieved a 20.68% increase in mobile data traffic, handling 92.23 billion megabytes and maintaining an 80.89% market share in data services
• Econet reported a 72.29% market share among active mobile subscriptions

Harare- Econet has intensified its efforts to bridge the digital divide by deploying ten lightweight, cost-effective base transceiver stations (BTS) in underserved rural areas during the first quarter ended 31 May 2025, building on a similar deployment of ten rural BTS in 2024.

This is according to its latest first quarter trading update.

“We continued to increase and improve our network’s capacity, during the quarter under review we introduced ten lightweight and cost-effective base stations targeting under-serviced and rural communities,” the group said in a trading update.

Additionally, the company activated twenty new sites and expanded its 5G network by one hundred sites nationwide driving data traffic to more than double and voice volumes increasing by 44%.

“During the quarter, Econet witnessed sustainable growth in data traffic, which was largely anchored by our network modernisation efforts.

“Artificial Intelligence based applications which ride on the upgraded network are becoming core to our processes, providing a platform for us to obtain an in-depth understanding of our customer needs including usage patterns that allow us to offer hyper-personalized services,” the group added.

in terms of quarter on quarter performance according to POTRZ, these initiatives drove a 20.68% increase in mobile data traffic, with Econet handling 92.23 billion megabytes (MB), contributing significantly to POTRAZ’s 17.31% growth to 114.02 Petabytes (PB) in Q1.

Voice traffic rose by 4.52%, reaching 3.69 billion minutes, reflecting strong demand for connectivity, particularly in rural regions.

The group closed the quarter with a commanding 91.30% market share of 5G base stations reflecting its leadership in next-generation network infrastructure, far surpassing competitors.

Subscriber Base and Market Share

Econet reported 11,578,890 active subscribers in Q1 2025, a 2.1% increase from Q1 2024, securing a 72.29% market share of the total 15,893,626 active mobile subscriptions, which grew by 1.38% year-over-year.

The mobile penetration rate slightly declined by 0.87% to 101.39%, reflecting population growth outpacing subscription increases.

In contrast, NetOne recorded 3,978,177 subscribers, a modest 0.38% increase, holding a 25.03% market share, while Telecel saw a significant 11.69% dip to 336,559 subscribers, equating to a 2.12% share.

Econet’s subscriber growth and market dominance highlight its superior brand loyalty and network reliability compared to its competitors.

Competitive Dynamics with NetOne and Telecel

Econet maintained a substantial lead over NetOne and Telecel in both voice and data traffic.

In mobile voice, Econet’s traffic grew by 4.52% to 3,689,230,138 minutes, capturing an 88.61% market share.

On the other hand, NetOne saw a 13.26% increase to 507,524,225 minutes (12.09% share), while Telecel experienced a 43.28% contraction to 947,186 minutes (0.02% share).

In data traffic, Econet’s 92.23 billion MB (20.68% growth) accounted for an 80.89% market share, up from 78.64% in Q4 2024.

NetOne’s data traffic rose by 5.23% to 21.56 billion MB (18.91% share, down from 21.07%), while Telecel’s dropped by 18.26% to 226.30 million MB (0.20% share, down from 0.29%).

5G prowess

Econet’s extensive 5G infrastructure and 91.30% control of 5G base stations position it far ahead of NetOne, which struggles with limited 4G/5G coverage despite competitive pricing strategies like Mo’Gigs.

Telecel’s declining performance further reflect Econet’s market strength.

The entry of Starlink, with approximately 20,000 subscriptions by Q4 2024, introduced a potential challenge in rural areas, but Econet’s proactive 5G and rural BTS deployments provide a strategic buffer.

Digital and Financial Services Performance

During the quarter, Econet’s digital subsidiaries reported strong growth. EcoCash, its mobile money platform, saw a 22% increase in customer activity and a 27% rise in transaction volumes, driven by a 110% surge in wallet funding.

 EcoSure, the insurance arm, recorded a 43% increase in policies, while Moovah, the short-term insurance business, grew policyholders by 69%. Maisha, the medical aid division, achieved a 92% membership increase compared to the prior year’s quarter.

These results highlight Econet’s successful expansion into fintech and insurtech, leveraging its telecommunications infrastructure for digital inclusion.

Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns

The Board declared an interim dividend of 0.63 US cents per share, reflecting Econet’s commitment to shareholder value despite a sector-wide 4.20% revenue decline noted by POTRAZ.

Data services, contributing 50.28% of mobile operator revenue, remain Econet’s primary growth driver, supported by its investments in high-speed, reliable internet infrastructure.

Therefore, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s strategic focus on rural connectivity, bolstered by its 91.30% share of 5G base stations and AI-driven innovations, has solidified its market leadership with a 72.29% subscriber share, 88.61% voice share, and 80.89% data share in Q1 2025.

Despite competitive pressures from NetOne’s pricing strategies and emerging players like Starlink, Econet’s extensive network infrastructure and diversified digital portfolio ensure its continued dominance in addressing Zimbabwe’s growing connectivity and digital service demands.

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