Internet connectivity to be boosted in Zimbabwe

6 May 2011

Econet Wireless has announced plans to invest $200 million (£122 million) over the next few years in its Zimbabwean operations.

The telecommunications giant is looking to increase its hold on one of Africa's emerging markets, a spokesperson said.

Isaiah Ningari, marketing manager at the firm, told business delegates at the ZITF International Business Conference that they would be investing in boosting the nation's internet coverage.

He added that it is encouraging to see that Zimbabwe's internet connectivity is already above the African average of 11 per cent, newsday.co.zw reports

Currently, 15 per cent of citizens are able to go online, with Econet hoping that the extra investment will see this increase to 25 per cent.

"As an operator we have invested nearly $600 million in the past ten years but most of the investment happened in the last two years. In the future, we will be investing an extra $200 million," said Mr Ningari.

The African Development Bank recently claimed that Zimbabwe needs about $14.2 billion to rehabilitate its infrastructure.

Category: ICT