Zim Now Writer

Powertel Communications and Paratus Zimbabwe have switched on the first phase of their cross-border fibre project, marking a major step in Zimbabwe’s bid to become a regional digital connectivity hub.

The first operational section, running between Plumtree and Bulawayo, is now live and carrying traffic. It forms part of a high-capacity digital corridor that will link Zimbabwe to Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and the wider Paratus network across Southern Africa.

The project follows a public-private partnership agreement signed in June 2025 between Powertel and Paratus Zimbabwe to jointly invest in long-distance fibre infrastructure across the country.

Under the arrangement, Powertel contributes its national fibre backbone while Paratus brings regional network reach, technology and experience in building telecommunications infrastructure across Africa.

The live Plumtree-Bulawayo route is the first Paratus-connected fibre route into Zimbabwe. It uses Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing technology, with the full system capable of delivering capacity above 10 terabits per second.

The first phase has gone live with an initial equipped traffic capacity of 800Gbps, providing immediate bandwidth while creating room for future growth as demand for data, cloud services and cross-border connectivity increases.

The next phase, linking Bulawayo to Livingstone in Zambia through Victoria Falls, is expected to be lit up in September 2026. Once complete, the route will create a three-country digital spine linking Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Powertel Communications managing director Willard Nyagwande said the project showed how structured partnerships could turn national infrastructure ambitions into bankable investments.

“This is a defining moment for Powertel as the project is planned, built, owned and operated by Powertel, as the licensed national carrier under POTRAZ and the telecommunications arm of ZESA,” Nyagwande said.

He said the Indefeasible Right of Use agreement with Paratus was the commercial vehicle that had made the corridor financeable while allowing Powertel to retain operational control over the asset and accountability to ZESA and Zimbabwe.

“This IRU converts a national infrastructure ambition into a bankable, investable, replicable commercial reality,” he said.

Paratus Group chief commercial officer Martin Cox said the live deployment was an important step towards the original vision of creating a high-capacity corridor linking Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“When we announced the PPP and this project last year, we set out a clear vision to create the first high-capacity digital corridor linking Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Today, we are delighted that the first phase is live, carrying traffic and already delivering real, measurable progress towards that vision,” Cox said.

He said the project was not only about fibre infrastructure, but about building the digital foundations needed for economic growth, regional integration and wider access to quality connectivity.

By connecting Zimbabwe into the Paratus network, Cox said the company was extending its contiguous network from South Africa through Botswana and Zimbabwe into Zambia.

Guest of honour Tinashe Yafele, Head of Cluster for Energy and Trading, said the project was a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation journey.

He said the 800Gbps equipped capacity supported Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy and the Digital Economy Strategy by strengthening infrastructure for commerce, education, health, e-government, financial services and industry.

Yafele urged Powertel and Paratus to remain focused on completing the remaining phases of the corridor, saying continued investment in backbone infrastructure would strengthen Zimbabwe’s competitiveness and deepen regional integration.

Powertel is a Mutapa Investment Fund company and the telecommunications arm of ZESA. It is licensed by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe as a Class A internet access provider.

Paratus operates across 16 countries in sub-equatorial Africa, with international points of presence in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.