By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – Telecommunications lies at the very heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and NetOne is building the digital foundations upon which Zimbabwe’s future economy will stand.
That was the powerful message from NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, as he addressed technology leaders and delegates at the ICT Summit this week.
Speaking under the theme “How NetOne Is Powering the Next Generation of Connectivity,” Eng Mushanawani delivered a sweeping vision of artificial intelligence, intelligent networks, and Zimbabwe’s place in the global digital economy.
“AI Cannot Stand Alone”
The GCEO opened by acknowledging the transformative force of artificial intelligence, but issued a crucial warning: AI without robust connectivity is merely an idea.
“History teaches us that every great leap in human progress has been built on infrastructure: roads, railways, electricity, the internet,” Eng Mushanawani said. “Today, AI is that next great leap.
“But AI cannot stand alone. Its true power is unlocked only through robust, intelligent connectivity. Without networks, there is no digital economy. That is why telecommunications operators like NetOne lie at the very heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
A Watershed Moment for Zimbabwe
Mushanawani hailed the launch of Zimbabwe’s National AI Policy earlier this year as a watershed moment, signaling Government’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies for national development.
“NetOne fully embraces this vision,” he said. “Through sustained investment in intelligent networks, we are positioning Zimbabwe not as a spectator, but as a contributor in the global AI revolution.”
He reframed the central question facing the industry: not whether AI will transform telecoms—it already is—but how operators can harness AI to deliver greater value to customers, communities, businesses, and the nation.
From Reactive to Predictive
At NetOne, Eng Mushanawani explained, the focus is on building intelligent, adaptive, and future-ready networks. AI enables the company to shift from reactive to predictive operations—anticipating congestion, identifying faults before they affect customers, and optimising performance in real time across vast geographies.
AI, he added, is also revolutionising customer experience through personalised, seamless, and responsive services. In an era of rising cyber threats, AI strengthens cybersecurity by detecting anomalies and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
“Technology Must Improve Lives”
But the GCEO was careful to ground the conversation in human impact.
“Technology is meaningful only when it improves lives,” he said. “AI must not widen the digital divide—it must bridge it. For Zimbabwe, AI offers a unique opportunity to expand access to essential services and create opportunities for underserved communities.
“NetOne is committed to ensuring that digital transformation reaches every corner of this nation—making AI a tool for empowerment, innovation, and inclusion.”
The Future Is Smarter, Not Just Faster
Eng Mushanawani concluded with a bold prediction about the future of telecommunications.
“The future of telecoms will not be defined by faster networks alone,” he said. “It will be defined by smarter networks—networks that learn, adapt, anticipate, and empower.”
He reaffirmed NetOne’s pride in being part of Africa’s advancing digital journey.
“We are not merely connecting devices,” he said. “We are connecting people to opportunity. Communities to knowledge. Businesses to growth. Zimbabwe to the future.”
A Call to Action
The GCEO closed with a rallying cry to fellow technology leaders and delegates:
“Let us build a digital future that is innovative, inclusive, secure, and beneficial to all.
“Powering Connectivity. Powering Innovation. Powering Inclusion. Powering Zimbabwe’s Digital Future.”
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