Econet bags prepaid electricity deal

Zimbabwe's biggest mobile network, Econet Wireless, has now received approval to sell prepaid electricity, a development expected to bring significant convenience for buyers.About 95 percent of Zesa Holdings' prepaid electricity revenue is generated through the subsidiary, Powertel's vending system.

ZESA spokesman Fullard Gwasira said yesterday that Econet, which boasts of 10 million subscribers, indicated that it would be ready to start trading yesterday.

Mr Gwasira said the coming on board of Econet means significant convenience for consumers of electricity in terms of time, location and cost of accessing power; an essential service.

Econet Wireless mobile phone subscribers will now be able to purchase prepaid electricity using its widely used mobile money transfer facility, EcoCash, making the process much easier.

Zesa Holdings said Telecel, Zimbabwe's second biggest mobile network, will also start trading in prepaid power soon while NetOne received the nod sometime back.