By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — For Tapiwa Moyo, a small-scale tailor based in Mbare, data is not a luxury — it is a lifeline. Every day, she uses WhatsApp to share photos of her latest designs with customers, Facebook to advertise her services, and OneWallet to receive payments.
But her data runs out quickly, and buying new bundles at high prices eats into her already thin profit margins.
Then she heard about NetOne‘s 30ForYou bundle: 60GB for US$30.
“That changes everything,” she said. “With this much data, I can post more pictures, reach more customers, and even take orders online. I don’t have to worry about running out of data in the middle of a conversation with a client.”
Tapiwa is not alone. Across Zimbabwe, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly turning to digital tools to grow their businesses.
Social media marketing, WhatsApp Business, mobile money, and e-commerce platforms have become essential for reaching customers, processing orders, and managing finances. But high data costs have remained a significant barrier — until now.
The SME Data Dilemma
Zimbabwe’s SME sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for over 60% of employment and contributing significantly to GDP. Yet many of these businesses operate on razor-thin margins, leaving little room for expensive data bundles.
A recent survey by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) found that data costs are among the top three challenges facing small businesses, alongside electricity and access to finance. Many entrepreneurs reported limiting their online activity to conserve data, which in turn limited their ability to market their products and engage with customers.
NetOne‘s 30ForYou bundle appears to be a direct response to this challenge.
What 60GB Means for SMEs
For a small business owner, 60GB translates into tangible business growth opportunities:
Marketing: Posting high-quality product photos and videos on social media without worrying about data exhaustion
Customer engagement: Responding to inquiries on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram in real time
E-commerce: Managing online storefronts, processing orders, and updating inventory on platforms like Ownai or ZimMarket
Digital payments: Using mobile money platforms without the fear of connectivity drops
Content creation: Producing marketing videos, tutorials, and live streams to build brand presence
“The data economy is the new marketplace,” said Dr. Prosper Chitambara, a Harare-based economist. “Businesses that cannot afford to participate in the digital economy are being left behind. Affordable data is not just a convenience — it is a competitive necessity.”
A Case Study in Digital Transformation
Take the example of Farai Mukono, who runs a small poultry business in Chitungwiza. Before discovering the 30ForYou bundle, he spent approximately US$50 per month on various data packages to communicate with suppliers, market his products, and research market prices.
“The 30ForYou bundle has cut my data costs by nearly half,” he said. “I’m using that saving to buy more feed for my chickens. That means more chickens, more eggs, and more profit. It’s a direct line from data to my bottom line.”
Farai also uses his data to access agricultural information — weather forecasts, disease outbreaks, and market prices — which helps him make better decisions about his business.
NetOne’s Broader SME Strategy
The 30ForYou bundle is part of NetOne’s broader commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurs. The company has previously launched initiatives like:
OneFusion packages that combine voice, data, and SMS for business users
Partnerships with mobile money platforms to enable seamless transactions
Rural connectivity projects that bring internet access to underserved areas
“We understand that for businesses, connectivity is not just about staying in touch — it’s about staying in business,” said a NetOne spokesperson. “The 30ForYou bundle is designed to give SMEs the data they need to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace.”
The Road Ahead
For SMEs like Tapiwa’s tailoring business and Farai’s poultry farm, affordable data is more than a convenience — it is a catalyst for growth. With the 30ForYou bundle, NetOne is not just selling data; it is enabling entrepreneurship.
“Zimbabwe’s future is digital,” said Chitambara. “Affordable data is the foundation upon which that future will be built.
“NetOne’s offer is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that every business — no matter how small — can participate in the digital economy.”
#30ForYou #NetOneAt30 #SMEConnectivity #DigitalZimbabwe
About Author
