• Econet Wireless Zimbabwe placed artificial intelligence and machine learning at the core of its operating model.
• The company aimed to reduce costs, improve service quality, and protect margins amid rising sector pressure.
• Management linked AI adoption to revenue growth, product diversification, and customer experience improvement.

In its latest financial communication, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe said AI- and machine-learning-based solutions now play a central role in the evolution of its operating model. The telecom operator made the statement as the sector faced rising pressure on costs and service quality.

According to the company, AI will support the development of more autonomous networks capable of self-configuration, self-optimization, and self-repair with minimal human intervention. This approach aims to improve network resilience, strengthen security, and reduce inefficiencies linked to the management of increasingly complex infrastructure.

“Going forward, leveraging innovation and deepening the integration of AI into our operations to improve operational efficiency will enable the group to grow, diversify its product and service offering, and drive revenue growth while protecting margins,” said Jim Myers, chairman of the board of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. He added, “by harnessing the power of AI, we aim to deliver a seamless customer experience across all business segments.”

This strategic direction comes as the telecom sector undergoes accelerated transformation, with operators forced to adopt more digital and automated models. For Econet, the strategy aims to preserve competitiveness while supporting the expansion of digital services, particularly mobile payments and connected platforms.

Over the medium term, the group’s ability to fully benefit from AI will depend on workforce upskilling, the quality of technology investments, and the capacity to deploy solutions at scale.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum