Econet AI set to reshape Zimbabwe's economy

Nearly three decades after revolutionising Zimbabwe's telecoms sector, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has launched a bold new venture into artificial intelligence, a move that could significantly reshape the country's economic trajectory.

The unveiling of Econet AI in Harare last Thursday marks one of Zimbabwe's most decisive steps into the global AI economy, opening access to advanced technologies that have largely remained beyond the reach of local businesses.

At the core of the initiative is Cassava Technologies, founded by telecoms entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa. Through Cassava, Econet AI has secured strategic partnerships with global technology giants such as NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft and Anthropic.

These alliances position Zimbabwean firms to tap into cutting-edge AI capabilities across multiple sectors, from agriculture and finance to public service delivery.

Industry analysts say wider AI adoption could unlock productivity gains, foster innovation and create new employment opportunities, particularly among Zimbabwe's youthful and increasingly tech-savvy population.

The launch event drew more than 200 government officials and business leaders, underscoring the growing importance of digital transformation in the country's economic agenda. Econet AI has already assembled a team of over 100 specialists focused on integrating artificial intelligence into business operations nationwide.

Potential applications are far-reaching. Smallholder farmers could leverage AI-powered tools to optimise crop yields, while financial institutions may enhance cybersecurity and streamline operations. Government departments could also adopt AI to improve efficiency and responsiveness in service delivery.

Chief executive officer Douglas Mboweni said the company is already embedding AI into its own operations, including real-time network fault detection and multilingual customer support chatbots capable of communicating in Shona, Ndebele, English, French and Chinese.

Mboweni urged local businesses to treat artificial intelligence as an immediate strategic priority.

"If we don't deploy AI, others will launch solutions that push us out of business as Zimbabwean companies," he said.

He added that Econet AI is designed to support organisations in adopting AI through ready-to-deploy solutions tailored to different industries, leveraging its global partnerships to accelerate digital transformation.