Zimbabwe’s telecommunications industry has posted strong earnings growth since the beginning of the year, driven by improved economic stability and growing demand for digital services.

Independent research findings released by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) show that a more settled economic environment has created favourable conditions for digital services to spread across sectors of the economy.

Among the sectors benefiting most is agriculture, where greater use of telecoms and digital tools has enhanced operations and improved access to essential services for players in the value chain.

POTRAZ Director General Dr Gift Machengete attributed the sector’s improved fortunes to the confidence that economic stability has brought.

“This has come positively for the industry, thereby creating that environment for sustained growth of our industry because right now companies are in a position to plan,” Dr Machengete said.

He said improved predictability has lowered the frequency with which companies adjust pricing.

“Gone are the days when we used to review the costs; such an element has also created the right path to predictable conditions,” he said.

Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Acting Permanent Secretary Mr Prince Sibanda said stability has driven up connectivity, kept tariffs steady and enabled infrastructure improvements.

“Stability is also being felt by the ordinary Zimbabweans as they are enjoying stable charges, thereby making it easy to plan. In fact, data usage has risen as a result of that, and the majority are now benefiting as a result of that trend,” Mr Sibanda said.

He said the next phase should focus on converting increased connectivity into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

“Indeed, there is a need to focus on the future and see to it that the tangible benefits translate growth into meaningful development or progress for Zimbabweans,” he said.

Regulatory authorities have also pointed to the growing appetite for data services and expanding digital connectivity as critical factors for propelling the sector forward.

The growth comes as the country pushes towards its ambition of building a fully fledged digital economy by 2030, a goal that depends heavily on robust connectivity and widespread access to technology.

Analysts note that the sector’s performance remains linked to the broader macroeconomic environment, warning that a return to instability could jeopardize the gains recorded so far.

POTRAZ is expected to keep tracking the sector’s evolution, with future research likely to examine how rising digital adoption translates into measurable economic and social outcomes.