• PowerTel and Paratus Zimbabwe partner to deploy high-capacity national fiber network
• First phase to connect Plumtree, Bulawayo, and Livingstone within six months
• Initiative aims to support digital transformation and boost affordable connectivity

Zimbabwe is advancing its fiber optic infrastructure through a new partnership between PowerTel Communications—a subsidiary of the national electricity company—and Paratus Zimbabwe. The agreement, signed Tuesday, June 17, aims to develop a resilient, high-capacity national backbone network to strengthen the country’s digital transformation.

The project’s first phase, scheduled over the next six months, will connect the cities of Plumtree, Bulawayo, and Livingstone.

“This is a significant step forward in Zimbabwe's digital transformation. This partnership will enable us to deliver on our mission: providing affordable, high-capacity connectivity to the country's residents and enterprises. We are proud to collaborate with Paratus Zimbabwe to construct a resilient long-distance national backbone network,” said Willard Nyagwande, interim CEO of PowerTel Communications.

A 2021 World Bank digital economy assessment noted that Zimbabwe’s fiber optic backbone—estimated at 25,000 km—links major urban centers, but rural coverage remains limited. Although the network reaches about 43% of the population within a 5 km radius, fiber density remains low relative to the country’s geographic size.

The World Bank stressed the need for further investment to close infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural areas, and enable broader access to fixed and mobile Internet as well as telephony services. Enhancing connectivity is considered essential to unlock the full potential of Zimbabwe’s digital economy.

According to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data, by 2023, 93.8% of Zimbabwe’s population was covered by 2G networks. Coverage for 3G, 4G, and 5G stood at 86.8%, 44.7%, and 2.5%, respectively. However, Internet usage remains relatively low, with a penetration rate of 38.4%, compared to 60.7% for mobile telephony.

The partnership between PowerTel and Paratus Zimbabwe remains at an early stage. While the project holds promise, its full impact will depend on the successful completion and expansion beyond urban centers into underserved rural regions.