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Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Delists, Spins Off Infrastructure Unit as AI-Driven Transformation Accelerates
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s largest mobile operator, has announced that it will voluntarily delist from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and will list a newly created infrastructure subsidiary, Econet InfraCo, on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX). The decision follows a year in which the company reported a 23 % rise in revenue for the year ended 28 February 2026.
The move was backed by more than 95 % of shareholders, according to a statement released with the audited financial results. Management said the action would give the company greater operational flexibility to restructure its portfolio and pursue long‑term investments.
Econet InfraCo will hold the group’s telecommunications towers, energy assets and real‑estate holdings. The subsidiary is valued at approximately US$1 billion, making its listing the largest initial public offering in Zimbabwe’s capital‑market history.
Econet’s financial performance reflects growth across its core telecommunications business and its fintech and digital‑services units. The 23 % revenue increase is driven by higher subscriber activity and expanding digital‑payment volumes. Chairman Dr James Myers described the past year as a “defining period” in which the firm is shifting from a connectivity provider to a technology platform that will deliver AI‑enabled services to businesses, consumers and government agencies.
The transformation is part of a broader trend among global telecom operators to spin off infrastructure assets. Separating towers, fibre networks and power infrastructure allows operators to unlock shareholder value and attract investment specifically for network expansion, renewable‑energy projects and data‑centre development. For Zimbabwe, the creation of Econet InfraCo could support the country’s digital‑infrastructure agenda, which is critical for financial inclusion, e‑commerce, cloud computing and AI adoption.
Artificial intelligence is a key element of Econet’s future strategy. The company said it intends to embed AI across its operations, citing the technology’s role in network optimisation, predictive maintenance, fraud detection, customer‑service automation and personalised digital experiences. In the wider industry, AI is already being used to manage complex telecom networks more efficiently, reduce operational costs and create new revenue streams.
Econet’s fintech arm already processes large volumes of transaction data, creating opportunities to develop AI‑powered credit‑assessment tools, fraud‑prevention systems and tailored banking solutions. The company’s extensive network also generates data that could be leveraged to improve customer experience and network performance.
The company’s shift comes at a time when African governments and businesses are looking to the AI economy as a way to leapfrog traditional development constraints. By positioning itself as an AI‑enabled digital‑services provider, Econet aims to contribute to a broader digital ecosystem that supports innovation, entrepreneurship and technological advancement in Zimbabwe.
The delisting and infrastructure spin‑off are expected to be completed in the coming months. Econet InfraCo’s listing on the VFEX will provide a new investment vehicle for stakeholders interested in the country’s digital‑infrastructure sector. The company’s CEO and chairman have indicated that the next phase of growth will focus on technology platforms and AI‑driven services rather than traditional voice and data revenues.
At present, the company is preparing for the launch of new AI‑enabled products and services, but no specific timelines have been announced. The restructuring is already influencing the company’s market positioning and could have wider implications for Zimbabwe’s technology sector, particularly as demand for cloud computing, data analytics and intelligent business solutions continues to rise.
In summary, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s voluntary delisting and the creation of Econet InfraCo represent a significant corporate realignment aimed at unlocking value and positioning the company at the centre of Zimbabwe’s AI and digital‑infrastructure future. The outcome of these moves will shape the trajectory of the country’s broader digital economy.
The move was backed by more than 95 % of shareholders, according to a statement released with the audited financial results. Management said the action would give the company greater operational flexibility to restructure its portfolio and pursue long‑term investments.
Econet InfraCo will hold the group’s telecommunications towers, energy assets and real‑estate holdings. The subsidiary is valued at approximately US$1 billion, making its listing the largest initial public offering in Zimbabwe’s capital‑market history.
Econet’s financial performance reflects growth across its core telecommunications business and its fintech and digital‑services units. The 23 % revenue increase is driven by higher subscriber activity and expanding digital‑payment volumes. Chairman Dr James Myers described the past year as a “defining period” in which the firm is shifting from a connectivity provider to a technology platform that will deliver AI‑enabled services to businesses, consumers and government agencies.
The transformation is part of a broader trend among global telecom operators to spin off infrastructure assets. Separating towers, fibre networks and power infrastructure allows operators to unlock shareholder value and attract investment specifically for network expansion, renewable‑energy projects and data‑centre development. For Zimbabwe, the creation of Econet InfraCo could support the country’s digital‑infrastructure agenda, which is critical for financial inclusion, e‑commerce, cloud computing and AI adoption.
Artificial intelligence is a key element of Econet’s future strategy. The company said it intends to embed AI across its operations, citing the technology’s role in network optimisation, predictive maintenance, fraud detection, customer‑service automation and personalised digital experiences. In the wider industry, AI is already being used to manage complex telecom networks more efficiently, reduce operational costs and create new revenue streams.
Econet’s fintech arm already processes large volumes of transaction data, creating opportunities to develop AI‑powered credit‑assessment tools, fraud‑prevention systems and tailored banking solutions. The company’s extensive network also generates data that could be leveraged to improve customer experience and network performance.
The company’s shift comes at a time when African governments and businesses are looking to the AI economy as a way to leapfrog traditional development constraints. By positioning itself as an AI‑enabled digital‑services provider, Econet aims to contribute to a broader digital ecosystem that supports innovation, entrepreneurship and technological advancement in Zimbabwe.
The delisting and infrastructure spin‑off are expected to be completed in the coming months. Econet InfraCo’s listing on the VFEX will provide a new investment vehicle for stakeholders interested in the country’s digital‑infrastructure sector. The company’s CEO and chairman have indicated that the next phase of growth will focus on technology platforms and AI‑driven services rather than traditional voice and data revenues.
At present, the company is preparing for the launch of new AI‑enabled products and services, but no specific timelines have been announced. The restructuring is already influencing the company’s market positioning and could have wider implications for Zimbabwe’s technology sector, particularly as demand for cloud computing, data analytics and intelligent business solutions continues to rise.
In summary, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s voluntary delisting and the creation of Econet InfraCo represent a significant corporate realignment aimed at unlocking value and positioning the company at the centre of Zimbabwe’s AI and digital‑infrastructure future. The outcome of these moves will shape the trajectory of the country’s broader digital economy.
