The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) reports that the use of digital services by Zimbabweans has risen despite rising operational costs in the sector.
In a postal and telecommunications abridged sector performance report for the third quarter 2025, Potraz said the sector exhibits a multifaceted scenario characterised by increases in operational challenges for operators and growth dynamics of key performance indicators (KPIs).
“Despite operators grappling with surges in operational costs, the sector continues to make strides as evidenced by exponential growths in KPIs like Internet and Broadband penetration rates.
“These movements present the hunger and need of the populace to engage digitally whilst driving economic development using ICTs,” Potraz said.
According to the report, the sector recorded a 2,13% increase in active mobile subscriptions from 16 089 628 to 16 432 685. Resultantly, the mobile penetration rate increased by 2,19 percentage points from 102,64% to record 104,83% in the quarter under review.
Internet penetration rate went up by 1.04 percentage points from 81,83% to reach 82,87%.
Mobile Internet/data traffic increased significantly by 10,72% from 130,14 Petabytes recorded in the second quarter to 144,09 Petabytes.
The sector also recorded a sharp increase in operating costs, which rose by 19,71 percent.
“The recent approval of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy will position the country at the forefront of digital transformation as it focuses on enhancing skills and knowledge in AI to build a capable workforce, develop necessary technological backbone to support AI systems and applications, and to encourage integration of AI technologies in various sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture.”
Potraz said this would drive economic and social development while encouraging ethical use and innovation in such sectors, underscoring the importance of ICT as a key enabler for national development as envisaged in the National Development Strategies.
“In trying to keep up with the growing demand for connectivity, operators are expected to continue expanding network infrastructure, with such investments aimed at improving network coverage, quality of service, and network efficiency.
“The continuous deployment of next generation network infrastructure i.e., LTE and 5G base stations, will not only serve the growing demand for connectivity by the populace but will also enhance overall user experience, greater digital inclusion and innovation,” Potraz said.
