• Government calls on operators to lower data tariffs
• High internet costs remain a major barrier to digital inclusion
• Zimbabwe’s internet penetration stood at 38.4% in 2023

The Zimbabwean government has urged telecom operators to reduce the prices of their services, particularly internet access, as part of efforts to support the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Information and Communication Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera made the appeal on Tuesday, January 20, during a stakeholder engagement meeting for the postal and telecommunications sector. She said the ministry was fully aware that affordability remains a key driver of digital inclusion and service adoption.

The minister called on operators to proactively review their pricing models and service delivery frameworks. She added that discussions are under way to reassess the tax burden and other cost factors in order to create a more favorable operating environment for the sector. However, the ministry believes that, even under current operating conditions, there is still room for operators to further reduce tariffs while improving service quality.

Data affordability is widely recognized as a major obstacle to internet adoption. According to the GSMA, high data prices limit users’ ability to connect regularly and access digital public services, innovative offerings from start-ups, and broader digital needs such as e-learning, telemedicine, remote work, and online entertainment.

Figures from the International Telecommunication Union show that 5 GB of mobile internet in Zimbabwe accounted for 12.9% of gross national income per capita in 2023, while fixed internet represented 12.8%. The ITU considers internet services affordable when this ratio does not exceed 2%. Internet penetration in Zimbabwe stood at 38.4% in 2023, according to the same source.

High prices are not the only barrier to wider adoption. Other constraints include the affordability of smartphones, basic digital skills, network coverage, perceptions of the relevance and usefulness of digital services, customer experience, as well as issues related to ethics, security, and social norms.

Isaac K. Kassouwi