Zimbabwe’s High Data Costs Blamed on Energy, Imported Connectivity

Zimbabwe’s high internet data costs are largely driven by expensive energy supplies and the cost of importing international connectivity, according to Information Communication Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera.

Responding to concerns over why Zimbabwe continues to have some of the highest internet connectivity costs in the region, Mavetera acknowledged that data prices remain prohibitively high and said the Government was working on interventions to reduce the cost of accessing the internet.

The minister identified energy as one of the biggest cost drivers for telecommunications companies, explaining that operators incur significant expenses powering base stations and other network infrastructure.

She said the Government was considering incentives for energy provision at base stations to reduce the cost of running telecommunications networks, arguing that lowering operational expenses would ultimately help bring down data prices for consumers.

“Energy is the most of them,” Mavetera said.

Zimbabwe’s landlocked status was also cited as another factor contributing to expensive internet connectivity. The minister said the country relies on imported connectivity, which adds to the cost of providing internet services.

To address these challenges, the Government is considering measures to reduce the financial burden on telecommunications operators, including lowering costs associated with operating in the ICT sector.

She, however, cautioned that reducing data costs would require sustained engagement between the Government and telecommunications companies rather than being achieved through a single intervention.

“It’s a process, it’s not an event,” she said, adding that the Government would continue engaging industry players to ensure that any reductions in operational costs translate into lower data prices for consumers.

Zimbabwe’s high data costs remain a concern for households, businesses and institutions, particularly as internet access becomes increasingly important for education, commerce, communication and the delivery of public services.

The minister’s remarks also come as the Government pushes its broader digitalisation agenda, with discussions in Parliament touching on the funding of the Public Finance Management System (PFMS), an application she described as central to the country’s e-governance ambitions.