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Key Points
- Econet to pay $16.3 million interim dividend as part of efforts to reward shareholders and boost investor confidence.
- Data traffic more than doubled, voice volumes up 44%, as Econet expands 5G coverage and rural connectivity infrastructure.
- EcoCash transactions rose 27%, while EcoSure and Maisha insurance units recorded sharp membership growth across Fintech portfolio.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited (Econet), the telecom giant owned by Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, has announced an interim dividend of $16.32 million, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value amid solid operational performance.
Econet boosts dividend as digital services expand
The $16.32 million dividend, set at $0.0063 per share, highlights the company’s drive to reward shareholders as it pivots toward a digital services-led model. The payout comes as Econet continues to leverage its network infrastructure, financial platforms, and artificial intelligence to deepen customer engagement and operational efficiency.
During the quarter ended May 31, 2025, Econet recorded a significant surge in data traffic, underpinned by sustained investment in network modernization. Data usage more than doubled, while voice volumes rose 44 percent year-over-year. This surge reflects a growing consumer appetite for connectivity and underpins Econet’s future revenue potential.
The company introduced ten cost-effective base stations to improve rural coverage, deployed 20 new sites, and expanded 5G coverage across 100 additional locations in Zimbabwe—moves aimed at strengthening its digital ecosystem and capacity for future growth.
FinTech unit accelerates financial inclusion
Econet’s FinTech arm, including EcoCash and EcoSure, also delivered strong gains. EcoCash recorded a 22 percent increase in customer activity and a 27 percent rise in transaction volumes, boosted by a 110 percent increase in wallet funding.
EcoSure, the company’s life insurance service, grew policy subscriptions by 43 percent, while its short-term insurance unit Moovah rose 69 percent in policyholders. The medical insurance platform Maisha posted a 92 percent membership increase, underscoring a successful push into broader financial services.
Strive Masiyiwa’s influence remains firm
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, a key subsidiary of the Econet Group, has built a strong presence in the telecommunications industry, serving more than 14 million subscribers over two decades. Its operations span Africa, Europe, South America, and East Asia, reflecting its international reach.
Strive Masiyiwa, who owns a controlling 52.85 percent stake in Econet, remains a dominant figure in Africa’s telecom space. With an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, he is among the continent’s wealthiest individuals and a major force in Zimbabwe’s digital economy.
Econet’s steady growth and $16.32-million payout reflect not only robust performance but also investor confidence in its strategy to drive digital innovation and financial inclusion at scale.