Econet InfraCo expands tower rollout, advances solar projects after VFEX debut

NewsDay, 21 July 2026

Newly listed infrastructure company Econet InfraCo says it deployed 90 new telecommunications base stations during the quarter ended May 31, 2026, while accelerating investments in solar power and artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure management as it pursues growth across its tower, energy and property businesses.

In its first quarterly trading update since listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), the company said it continued to expand its integrated infrastructure platform comprising telecommunications towers, power infrastructure and property assets.

The company said the deployment of the new base station sites was aimed at strengthening network coverage and capacity for existing and prospective customers while supporting revenue growth through a co-location model that allows multiple operators to share infrastructure.

Econet InfraCo also expanded the use of artificial intelligence to improve predictive generator maintenance, optimise fuel consumption and enhance infrastructure reliability.

The company said its AI Fuel Manager had reduced energy consumption while improving network uptime, with AI-enabled remote monitoring systems and digital twin technology continuing to improve operational efficiency.

In its PowerCo division, Econet InfraCo said it continued rolling out solar systems at new and existing telecommunications sites to reduce dependence on diesel generators and cushion operations against Zimbabwe’s unreliable electricity supply.

The company said although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East had pushed up diesel prices globally, Zimbabwe had not experienced supply shortages.

“However, this global situation has driven an increase in the local cost of diesel. Consequently, our solar deployment programme forms a critical measure implemented by the business to ensure continued energy supply and operational resilience,” the company said.

Beyond telecommunications, Econet InfraCo said it had commenced Phase One of its planned 100-megawatt solar farm, which will eventually supply renewable electricity to developments within the Econet Tech City project.

Its PropertyCo division maintained stable rental income during the quarter, while preparations continued for the flagship Tech City development in Harare and the Victoria Falls Lifestyle Villas project.

The company said groundbreaking for both developments is expected in the fourth quarter of the current financial year, adding that it had already received expressions of interest from prospective customers across various sectors.

Econet InfraCo said it had reinvested 17% of revenue generated during the quarter into capital projects as it continued to scale operations.

As this was the company’s inaugural trading update following its VFEX listing, no comparative financial figures were provided.

The board said financial performance remained broadly in line with projections contained in its pre-listing statement and that there had been no material changes to its financial position.

Looking ahead, the company said it would prioritise expanding its tower portfolio, accelerating solar power deployment and progressing the Tech City and Victoria Falls Lifestyle Villas developments, as it seeks to unlock value from its infrastructure assets.

Econet InfraCo focuses on solar power and AI fuel management

Developing Telecoms, 22 July 2026

Zimbabwean infrastructure development and management firm Econet InfraCo revealed on Monday that it has been deploying solar-power systems and AI-powered fuel management solutions as well as new towers in its first quarter as a listed company.

Econet InfraCo was spun off by Econet Wireless in February to manage its national portfolio of telecom assets, and comprises business units for towers, power and real estate. In April it listed on Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), with its IPO valued at US$1 billion.

In its first post-IPO quarterly statement ending May 2026 – which was issued on Monday – Econet InfraCo said its TowerCo business strategically deployed 90 new base stations in the past quarter to drive revenue growth through a “capital-efficient colocation model”. Econet said it is actively negotiating with new tenants for the sites.

Econet also said it expanded the use of AI to improve predictive generator maintenance, optimise fuel utilisation, and enhance infrastructure reliability.

“The phased rollout of our AI Fuel Manager has reduced energy consumption whilst improving availability and uptimes,” the company report said. “Our AI-enabled remote monitoring system (RMS) and tower digital twin initiatives have continued to advance, increasing our technology efficiency.”

Meanwhile, its PowerCo unit has been deploying solar power solutions for new and existing sites, although the company didn’t offer any metrics on this.

However, Econet InfraCo said that with diesel fuel costs rising as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between the US and Iran, its solar deployment programme has become a critical measure to ensure continued energy supply and operational resilience.

Econet InfraCo’s power business has also been developing its energy-as-a-service offering, including the commencement of Phase One of its 100MW solar farm, which is planned to supply clean, renewable energy to developments within Tech City, its flagship industrial park initiative in Harare under Econet’s PropertyCo division.

Econet InfraCo said it will publish detailed financial results as part of the half-year report for the period ending 31 August 2026, but added that its financial performance for the quarter “remains materially in line with projections, and that there have been no material changes to the company’s financial position since the publication of the pre-listing statement.”

The quarterly report also noted that Econet InfraCo has reinvested 17% of its generated revenue into funding capital projects. Its priorities for the remainder of the financial year include continued expansion of the tower portfolio and acceleration of the solar power programme.

Econet InfraCo establishes 90 base stations, expands AI adoption

CAJ News Africa, 21 July 2026

ECONET InfraCo, the Zimbabwean integrated infrastructure company, has deployed 90 new base station sites and rolled out solar systems to new and existing sites during the quarter ended May 31.

During the period, the company expanded the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve predictive generator maintenance, optimise fuel utilisation and enhance infrastructure reliability.

Releasing its results for the period, the company noted that the phased rollout of its AI Fuel Manager had reduced energy consumption while improving availability and uptime, while the AI-enabled Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and tower Digital Twin initiatives had continued to advance, increasing technological efficiency.

Tatenda Ngowe, Group Company Secretary, stated on behalf of the Board of Directors that Econet InfraCo had also continued to pursue its offering across diverse customer segments of energy-as-a-service.

A key development during the quarter was the commencement of the first phase of the 100MW solar farm.

Once fully operational, this facility will supply clean, renewable energy to developments within Econet Tech City.

“The TechCity in Harare and Victoria Falls Lifestyle Villas remain on schedule according to our targeted timelines,” Ngowe stated.

She said groundbreaking for both projects was targeted for the third quarter of the financial year.

“The company has already received expressions of interest from various sectors for both projects, indicating strong market uptake once the different units become available.”

Priorities for the remainder of the financial year include the continued expansion of the tower portfolio and acceleration of the solar power programme.

With groundbreaking on both TechCity and Victoria Falls Lifestyle Villas targeted for the fourth quarter, Econet InfraCo anticipates market uptake to build steadily, in line with the strategic vision of unlocking distinct asset value through focused infrastructure development.

Econet InfraCo officially listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) in April, debuting at a US$1 billion valuation.

This marked the largest initial listing in the history of Zimbabwe’s capital markets.

The company was established in early 2026 by spinning off the real estate, renewable energy and telecommunications tower assets of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe into a standalone infrastructure entity.

Econet InfraCo Expands AI Across Telecom Infrastructure Following VFEX Listing

Tech Africa News, 21 July 2026

Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX)-listed Econet InfraCo  has reported significant operational progress in its first quarterly trading update since listing, highlighting continued expansion of its telecommunications infrastructure, renewable energy investments, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven operations. The company said it remains focused on growing its integrated infrastructure platform, which combines tower infrastructure, power services, and property development.

During the quarter ended May 2026, Econet InfraCo deployed 90 new base station sites to strengthen network coverage and capacity while continuing the rollout of solar power systems across new and existing sites. The company said the new tower deployments support its capital-efficient colocation strategy, with negotiations underway to onboard additional tenants and drive future revenue growth.

The company also accelerated the adoption of artificial intelligence across its operations to improve infrastructure performance. AI technologies are now being used for predictive generator maintenance, fuel optimization, and enhancing the reliability of telecommunications infrastructure. Econet InfraCo said the phased rollout of its AI Fuel Manager has reduced energy consumption while improving network availability and uptime. Meanwhile, its AI-enabled Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and Digital Twin initiatives are helping increase operational efficiency across its tower infrastructure.

Through its PowerCo division, the company continued expanding renewable energy solutions by deploying solar systems to reduce reliance on diesel generators and improve energy resilience. While geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed up diesel prices globally, Econet InfraCo said Zimbabwe has not experienced supply shortages. However, the higher fuel costs have reinforced the company’s strategy of accelerating solar deployment to ensure reliable and cost-effective power for telecommunications infrastructure.

The company also advanced its broader energy-as-a-service strategy with the commencement of Phase One of its 100MW solar farm, which will eventually supply clean energy to developments within the Econet Tech City. The project forms part of the company’s long-term strategy to diversify its infrastructure business beyond telecommunications.

Econet InfraCo’s PropertyCo business also recorded steady performance during the quarter, generating stable rental income in line with market conditions. Development of its flagship Tech City project in Harare and the Victoria Falls Lifestyle Villas remains on schedule, with groundbreaking for both developments expected during the fourth quarter of the financial year. The company said it has already received strong expressions of interest from prospective customers across multiple sectors.

Financially, the company reported that performance during the quarter remained in line with projections outlined in its pre-listing statement. As this marks its inaugural trading update following the VFEX listing, no comparative figures were provided. Econet InfraCo also disclosed that it reinvested 17% of its generated revenue into capital projects during the period, underscoring its commitment to long-term infrastructure expansion.

Looking ahead, the company said its priorities for the remainder of the financial year include expanding its telecommunications tower portfolio, accelerating the rollout of solar energy infrastructure, and progressing construction of the Tech City and Victoria Falls Lifestyle Villas projects. The Board expressed confidence in the company’s ability to deliver sustainable growth and create long-term value for shareholders as it continues scaling its integrated infrastructure platform.

InfraCo expands AI-powered towers

IT Web Africa, 21 July 2026

InfraCo, a spinoff from Zimbabwean telco Econet Wireless, has targeted continued expansion of its tower business in Zimbabwe while deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise energy consumption at its base stations.

The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed InfraCo said on Tuesday that, during the quarter ended May 2026, it expanded its use of AI to improve predictive generator maintenance, optimise fuel utilisation and enhance the reliability of its base stations.

Zimbabwe often experiences crippling power outages, forcing operators to incur additional costs by running diesel generators.

The rollout of an AI Fuel Manager solution has reduced energy consumption while improving availability and uptime, said Tatenda Alice Ngowe, company secretary of InfraCo, in a trading update.

Furthermore, InfraCo is advancing an AI-enabled Remote Monitoring System and a digital Twin initiative that enables digital monitoring and remote maintenance of base stations.

These AI tools are intended to increase the efficiency of the company’s technology platforms.

For the remainder of the year, InfraCo is prioritising continued expansion of its tower portfolio and accelerating the solar power programme under its PowerCo subsidiary.

Apart from powering InfraCo’s towers with solar energy, PowerCo also supplies other commercial users.

The company has commenced construction of Phase 1 of a 100MW solar farm that will supply renewable energy to developments within Econet Tech City, which will include a data centre and the solar power plant in Harare.

The Tech City, which will be developed over five years, forms part of InfraCo’s property segment, which supports the deployment of tower sites and other infrastructure.

During the quarter ended May, InfraCo deployed 90 new base stations.

Dr Douglas Mboweni, CEO of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, recently said the company is retiring 2G and 3G sites and reallocating the spectrum to support 4G and 5G services.

Econet, Zimbabwe’s largest mobile network operator, accounts for much of the country’s growing data traffic through its deployment of LTE and 5G base stations.

InfraCo reinvested 17% of revenue generated into funding capital projects, Ngowe said.

Econet’s DPA targets 50MW solar energy boost in Harare

The Herald 4 June 2026

ECONET InfraCo, through its renewable energy arm Distributed Power Africa, is scaling up its clean energy investments after applying for a licence to construct a 50-megawatt solar plant in Harare.

The utility-scale project marks a significant expansion for the newly restructured, Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed infrastructure giant as it aggressively builds out its independent green energy capacity.

The application has been lodged with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).

According to a public notice issued by Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed Econet InfraCo, the proposed solar project will be located at Godavery Farm in the Hatfield suburb of the capital.

DPA is a leading pan-African renewable energy company specialising in solar energy solutions for commercial, industrial and telecommunications customers.

It was originally built on Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s extensive experience operating power systems and battery backups for its mobile network base stations.

Currently, DPA manages critical energy infrastructure across several African nations, including South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Locally, its prominent commercial footprint includes major industrial installations such as the 1MW Schweppes Zimbabwe rooftop plant in Willowvale, a 1,8MW hybrid facility at Tanganda Tea’s Ratelshoek Estate in Chipinge and various green energy projects for corporate clients like Delta Corporation and Stanbic Bank.

“Distributed Power Africa intends to generate electricity from the proposed solar plant and supply its customers,” said Econet InfraCo.

The proposed 50MW Godavery Farm development marks a significant scale-up for DPA into large, utility-scale grid supply.

The investment transitions the company beyond its traditional “behind-the-meter” commercial and industrial installations towards directly feeding the national electricity grid.

DPA intends to utilise the electricity generated from the Godavery Farm facility to supply its growing commercial and industrial customer base.

The company would design and deploy tailor-made, engineered energy solutions that are customised to meet the specific customer requirements.

To integrate the new power source into the national network, the project will require a substantial infrastructure buildout, including the construction of a 132/33kV substation on-site at the farm.

The green energy project will connect to the grid through the construction of an approximately 9-kilometer, 132kV single “lynx” overhead transmission line.

This line will link the solar plant directly to a proposed new switching station situated along the existing Dema-Coleford 132kV transmission line.

As part of the statutory regulatory process, ZERA has opened a 14-day window for public consultations, allowing interested stakeholders and residents to weigh in on the utility project.

The proposed investment comes at a time when Zimbabwe is actively diversifying its energy mix away from traditional thermal and hydro dependency.

Persistent climate-induced droughts have severely curtailed hydropower output at the Kariba Dam hydroelectric plant, while the country’s aging coal-fired plants at the Hwange thermal complex face recurrent operational bottlenecks.

In response, Government and private energy players are leaning heavily on solar energy, backed by Zimbabwe’s exceptional solar irradiation levels that average over 3 000 sunshine hours annually.

Under the National Development Strategy (NDS2) and the National Renewable Energy Policy, Zimbabwe is targeting 26,5 percent renewable energy penetration in the national grid mix.

While Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have historically developed smaller captive installations for internal corporate use, ZERA’s active licensing pipeline features dozens of huge new solar projects.

Major projects driving this transition include utility-scale inland initiatives like the Gwanda Solar Project (100MW), localised urban networks and proposed floating solar installations on Lake Kariba.

ZERA has licensed nearly 171 Independent Power Producers (IPPs). However, funding and development challenges mean only about 48 are currently operational, while others remain at different stages of construction, feasibility, or funding.

The energy regulator has licensed numerous IPPs to bridge the national power deficit, of about 2 200MW at peak demand, attract private investment to bypass government financing constraints and diversify energy sources toward renewables.

Zimbabwe produces an average of 1 400MW, through State-owned hydro and thermal power stations, leaving a substantial gap for private players to plug the gap.

Vision behind Econet Infra-Co’s Vic Falls Lifestyle Resort

DailyNews 12 April 2026

ECONET InfraCo – the recently listed billion-dollar infrastructure platform company – has acquired a 100-acre site in Victoria Falls, where it plans to build an upmarket ‘Vic Falls Lifestyle Resort’.

The resort will consist of about 40 luxury villas, built for use by high net wealthy visitors to the city, who plan to stay for two weeks or more.

According to InfraCo, the villas will be designed to cater for every whim of a jet set clientele who expect the best. They will be supported by a club house with a wellness gym, spas, restaurants, gift shops, tennis courts and swimming pools.

The facility will have its own 10-bed private hospital and a helipad for quick transfers to the airport. Equally important, the villas will have their own power and water supply system, with each villa con­nected to fibre as well as satellite internet access. Security to the facility will be pro­vided by 24-hour guards, with additional security guards assigned to any of the 4, 5 and 6-bedroom villas as needed.

Explaining the vision, Econet InfraCo CEO Fayaz King, said: “We need to attract visitors who spend more time in the city if we are to generate more forex for our economy. That means we must also cater for the high net worth visitor – this is the global trend. We are using our skills in developing high-quality infra­structure to enable this development.”

Mr King said each villa will be offered for sale as an investment to Zimbabwe­ans, who will offer them for onward rental as part of the agreement. “The owners will be allowed to use them for about a month a year. But they are there to be rented out for 11 months; that is the concept.”

Econet InfraCo to build luxury resort in Vic Falls

The Financier Gazette 9 April 2026

ECONET InfraCo has announced the development of a multimillion-dollar luxury resort in Victoria Falls as part of the billion-dollar infrastructure platform’s broader strategy to expand into high-end tourism infrastructure.

The project, which will be called Vic Falls Lifestyle, will comprise 40 luxury residential villas supported by premium amenities, including restaurants, wellness centres and sports facilities.

Econet InfraCo’s chief executive Fayaz King yesterday said the project was a landmark development for the country’s luxury tourism sector.

“These will be among the most exclusive residential properties ever developed in Zimbabwe. They are designed to meet the standards of top-tier international hospitality, comparable to presidential suites in leading global hotels,” King said in a statement.

The development positions Victoria Falls as a destination for affluent global travellers seeking privacy, exclusivity, and integrated services.

Recently listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange with a valuation of approximately US$1 billion, Econet InfraCo said the resort would feature a 24-hour, 10-bed private hospital, equipped with emergency services and dental care – an offering designed to meet the expectations of a high-net-worth clientele.

“Security and privacy are central to the development’s value proposition. The gated resort will include round-the-clock security, catering to investors and visitors seeking a secure, secluded environment,” King said.

Under the investment model, buyers would be able to acquire ownership of individual villas, with the condition that units are made available for rental for up to 11 months annually – a structure intended to balance personal use with income-generating potential.

“Victoria Falls requires this calibre of development to attract visitors who not only spend, but also invest in the country,” King said.

He added that Econet founder and group chairman Strive Masiyiwa played a key advisory role in shaping the concept and was expected to be among the property owners.

According to the company, the project had already generated interest from both local and diaspora Zimbabwean investors, as well as international buyers – including Masiyiwa’s close friends and associates.

“Land for the resort has been secured, with planning at an advanced stage, and construction is expected to commence before year-end,” said King.

The Victoria Falls project is Econet InfraCo’s second major development initiative.

Its flagship project, Econet Tech City, is an industrial and technology hub to be built near Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, and is expected to host approximately 300 businesses on over 800 hectares of land, which the company already owns.

Econet InfraCo to build top-tier luxury resort in Vic Falls

The Herald 8 April 2026

Econet InfraCo has announced the development of a multimillion-dollar luxury resort in Victoria Falls as part of the billion-dollar infrastructure platform’s broader strategy to expand into high-end tourism infrastructure.

The project, which will be called Vic Falls Lifestyle, will comprise 40 luxury residential villas supported by premium amenities, including restaurants, wellness centres and sports facilities.

Econet InfraCo’s Chief Executive Officer Fayaz King said the project was a landmark development for Zimbabwe’s luxury tourism sector.

“These will be among the most exclusive residential properties ever developed in Zimbabwe. They are designed to meet the standards of top-tier international hospitality, comparable to presidential suites in leading global hotels,” Mr King said.

The development positions Victoria Falls as a destination for affluent global travellers seeking privacy, exclusivity, and integrated services.

Recently listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange with a valuation of approximately US$1 billion, Econet InfraCo said the resort will feature a 24-hour, 10-bed private hospital, equipped with emergency services and dental care – an offering designed to meet the expectations of a high-net-worth clientele.

“Security and privacy are central to the development’s value proposition. The gated resort will include round-the-clock security, catering to investors and visitors seeking a secure, secluded environment,” Mr King said.

Under the investment model, buyers will be able to acquire ownership of individual villas, with the condition that units are made available for rental for up to 11 months annually – a structure intended to balance personal use with income-generating potential.

“Victoria Falls requires this calibre of development to attract visitors who not only spend, but also invest in the country,” Mr King said.

He added that Econet founder and Group Chairman Strive Masiyiwa, played a key advisory role in shaping the concept and is expected to be among the property owners.

According to the company, the project has already generated interest from both local and diaspora Zimbabwean investors, as well as international buyers – including Masiyiwa’s close friends and associates.

“Land for the resort has been secured, with planning at an advanced stage, and construction is expected to commence before year-end,” said Mr King.

The Victoria Falls project is Econet InfraCo’s second major development initiative.

Its flagship project, Econet Tech City, is an industrial and technology hub to be built near Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, and expected to host approximately 300 businesses on over 800 hectares of land, which the company already owns.

Econet InfraCo lists on VFEX at $1bn valuation in Zimbabwe’s largest-ever market debut

African Market 6 April 2026

Econet InfraCo, the infrastructure arm spun off from Zimbabwe’s telecoms group Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has debuted on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), marking the largest listing in the country’s capital markets history.

Admitted on March 27 and trading since March 31 under the ticker INFR.VX, the company enters the market with a $1 billion valuation, becoming the 16th listed equity on the US dollar-denominated exchange.

The new entity brings together the group’s core infrastructure assets, including telecom towers, renewable energy operations and real estate holdings. The transaction reflects a broader strategic shift to separate these assets into a standalone platform capable of generating stable, long-term income.

This model, increasingly adopted globally, allows infrastructure-focused businesses to attract dedicated investors while relying on predictable cash flows, primarily through lease agreements with the parent company and, potentially, third-party operators.

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, who attended the listing ceremony, described the move as a strong signal to international investors, highlighting both the scale of the transaction and the robustness of the country’s regulatory framework.

The listing also marks Econet’s exit from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), where it had been listed since 1998. Shareholders approved the delisting after concluding that the local currency-based market no longer accurately reflected the group’s value.

Econet had been the largest and most liquid stock on the ZSE, accounting for roughly one-third of the exchange’s market capitalisation at the end of 2025, with an estimated value of around $628 million. Its departure is expected to significantly reduce both market capitalisation and trading activity on the ZSE.

Conversely, the transaction strengthens the strategic positioning of the VFEX as a hub for hard currency investments. For investors, Econet InfraCo offers exposure to an asset-backed business model supported by contracted cash flows from telecom infrastructure and energy solutions.

The company is also well positioned to benefit from Zimbabwe’s growing digital economy, driven by rising demand for data connectivity and distributed energy infrastructure, further reinforcing the VFEX’s role as a gateway for international capital.