NetOne at 30: connecting Zimbabwe to a future of possibilities

CHIKOMBA WEST - As NetOne marks 30 years of connecting Zimbabwe, the telecommunications giant is using its milestone anniversary to reaffirm a bold commitment: to make connectivity a catalyst for healthier, more inclusive and more prosperous communities.

Speaking during the NetOne at 30 Medical Outreach and Telemedicine Launch in Chikomba West, Minister of Information Communication Technologies, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera applauded NetOne for demonstrating how telecommunications can be leveraged to address real‑life challenges and accelerate national development. Her remarks come as NetOne enters a new chapter defined not only by the reach of its network, but by the impact that connectivity creates in the lives of Zimbabweans.

Delivering remarks on behalf of NetOne, Public Relations Manager Ernest Magadzire said the company's 30th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the purpose behind three decades of connecting the nation. "Thirty years of connecting Zimbabwe is not simply a milestone to celebrate; it is a responsibility to build on. At NetOne, we believe the true value of connectivity is measured by what it makes possible — a child accessing knowledge, a community accessing healthcare, an entrepreneur reaching a market and a citizen accessing essential services."

He said NetOne's next 30 years would be defined by meaningful connectivity, leveraging technology and innovation to create tangible social and economic impact. "We are moving from simply connecting people to connecting people to possibilities. Through technologies such as telemedicine, we can use the network we have built over three decades to bring essential services closer to communities and help address challenges that matter most to Zimbabweans."

The Chikomba West medical outreach and telemedicine initiative, delivered by NetOne in partnership with ZimSmart Villages under the Health and Care and Connecting Communities pillars, demonstrates this evolving purpose — using telecommunications capabilities to bridge geographical barriers and expand access to healthcare.

The partnership underscores the importance of public‑private collaboration in driving sustainable national development. By bringing together Government, telecommunications, healthcare professionals, development partners and communities, such initiatives harness different areas of expertise and resources to develop solutions that respond directly to the needs of Zimbabweans. For NetOne, these partnerships show that community challenges cannot be addressed by one institution alone. When public and private sector strengths converge, technology becomes a more powerful tool for inclusive development and meaningful impact.

The initiative also advances the aspirations of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030, which places technology, innovation and inclusive development at the centre of Zimbabwe's transformation. As NetOne celebrates three decades of connecting the nation, the company also applauded First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Patron of Health, for her continued advocacy for the wellbeing of Zimbabweans.

From its beginnings as a telecommunications provider to its growing role as an enabler of digital transformation, NetOne at 30 is both a celebration of where the nation has connected from — and a statement of where connectivity can take Zimbabwe next. The next 30 years, the company says, will be defined by a deeper purpose: to transform every connection into an opportunity that uplifts lives, strengthens communities and drives national progress.

This development contributes to broader discussions around digital inclusion and telemedicine expansion.