• Zimbabwe plans $200 million telecommunications satellite to boost connectivity

• Government seeking investors; project announced during outsourcing framework launch

• ZIMSAT-3 aims expand internet access, address rural digital divide

Zimbabwe plans to raise $200 million to fund the construction and launch of a telecommunications satellite, local media reported.

The initiative, announced on Wednesday, aims to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and expand internet access, authorities said.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube disclosed the plan during the launch of the Business and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (BKPO) operational framework.

“We are talking to various potential sources of capital, and we hope we will succeed. We have to keep pushing. It is a new area for us, as you can imagine, how to make money off satellites,” Ncube said, according to NewsDay Zimbabwe.

Satellite technology seen as key to connectivity

The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) for 2026-2030 calls for the launch of a third national telecommunications satellite, ZIMSAT-3, to help bridge the digital divide.

“ZIMSAT-3 will support connectivity enhancement and digital transformation efforts, complement national broadband expansion and help improve access to digital services in both rural and urban areas,” the strategy document states.

While awaiting its own satellite, Zimbabwe is relying on partnerships with service providers. In March 2024, the government said it was considering collaborating with satellite internet providers to expand services and reduce costs.

ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the initiative was necessary because Zimbabwe’s landlocked status increases data routing costs. A satellite could reduce dependence on terrestrial infrastructure and help mitigate those constraints.

Starlink launched services in Zimbabwe in September 2024, three months after receiving regulatory approval. Authorities have since worked with Elon Musk’s company on several connectivity projects.

In January, the government announced plans to equip primary and secondary schools with 8,000 Starlink internet kits.

Addressing persistent digital inequality

Across Africa, satellites are increasingly viewed as a way to expand connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas that telecom operators struggle to reach through terrestrial networks or consider commercially unviable.

Zimbabwe’s 4G network covered only 51.6% of the population in 2024, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Coverage stood at 93.9% for 2G and 87.9% for 3G, while 5G reached just 15.9%.

Mobile subscriptions reached 16.2 million at the end of December 2025, representing a penetration rate of 95%, according to DataReportal. The country had 6.54 million internet users, or 38.4% of the population.

However, these figures may overstate actual usage because statistics typically count each SIM card or access line, even when a single user holds several.

Satellite technology can extend network coverage but does not necessarily translate into higher service uptake. Adoption also depends on the affordability of compatible devices, the cost of telecom plans and the population’s digital literacy.

No timeline has yet been announced for the satellite project. Zimbabwe must first secure funding before moving to the design and launch phases, a process that can take several years.

Isaac K. Kassouwi