Econet launches dedicated AI unit to drive digital transformation
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has launched Econet AI, a new business unit in Harare aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across various sectors. The unit debuted with a suite of products and services for corporates and individuals. Starting in May, customers will receive six months of free access to Google Gemini, a multimodal AI platform. Econet AI also introduced Cassava AiCloud, a high-performance computing platform powered by NVIDIA GPUs, hosted at the Cassava AI Factory in South Africa. The launch was attended by ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera, senior government officials, regulators, business leaders, and industry partners. Econet Group chief executive Douglas Mboweni stated that the AI unit evolved over five years as an internal innovation hub, improving customer experience, optimizing network performance, and enhancing decision-making. The formal launch marks a shift to commercialization, positioning Econet AI as a strategic partner for organizations. Minister Mavetera welcomed the development, noting its alignment with Zimbabwe鈥檚 National AI Strategy and National Development Strategy 2, which aims to build a digital, knowledge-driven, upper-middle-income economy. She emphasized government support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to empower local businesses, create jobs, and strengthen Zimbabwe鈥檚 global competitiveness. Econet AI employs over 100 specialists and is set to help enterprises integrate AI into
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Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country's largest mobile network operator, is investing more than US$200 million to expand its network capacity, improve service quality, and strengthen infrastructure resilience. This investment addresses the surging demand for mobile data driven by increased smartphone adoption, video streaming, and digital services. Econet Group chief executive officer Douglas Mboweni stated that the company's immediate priorities include expanding network capacity and making infrastructure more resilient to ensure reliable connectivity. The company operates over 7,000 base stations supporting 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies and is progressively reallocating spectrum to 4G and 5G services. However, the transition is slowed by older mobile devices, particularly in rural areas, preventing millions of subscribers from accessing modern digital services. Mboweni noted that over three million subscribers use handsets too old for high-bandwidth applications and that Econet is working on initiatives to make new smartphones more affordable. Power supply challenges also contribute to network disruptions, prompting Econet to invest in alternative energy, including a solar power station at its Tech City campus and an artificial intelligence-powered energy management system. The company expects this system to reduce power-related faults by up to 50% by the end of the year, with customers experiencing a more resilient network with fewer outages by December.
Zimbabwean athletes Makanakaishe Charamba, Thandazani Ndlovu, and Ashley Miller achieved impressive results at the Gyulai Istv谩n Memorial鈥揌ungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Budapest. Charamba secured second place in the men鈥檚 200 metres with a time of 20.09 seconds, finishing behind Morocco鈥檚 Yassine Hssine. Ndlovu recorded a personal best of 44.64 seconds, placing fourth in the men鈥檚 400 metres against a competitive international field. Miller finished fifth in the women鈥檚 400 metres hurdles with a time of 55.03 seconds. The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe NAAZ president, Tendayi Tagara, stated that these performances will boost the team's confidence for the rest of the season, highlighting the progress made through investment in athlete development and high-performance programs. NAAZ emphasized that the results demonstrate Zimbabwean athletes' capability to compete effectively on the international stage.
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