Econet InfraCo base stations provide lifeline for rural clinics

The Herald 16 February 2026

Econet InfraCo, the infrastructure arm of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has been turning some of its remote base stations into solar power hubs for rural hospitals and clinics.

The initiative, launched last year, provides free electricity to health facilities located within five kilometres of the company’s base station.

For clinics that previously relied on erratic generators or had no power at all, the impact has been immediate and transformative. Vaccines remain safely stored, emergency procedures can continue without interruption, and mothers giving birth at night are no longer left in the dark.

At a small clinic in the Zvishavane District in the Midlands, nurses describe the difference as life-changing.

“Before, we had to limit treatments when the power went out,” said one. “Now we can run our fridges, lights, and medical equipment without worrying about blackouts.”

The programme, run in partnership with the Higher Life Foundation, has already connected several clinics, with plans to expand further.

By integrating electricity supply into its base station network, Econet InfraCo is leveraging existing infrastructure for a purpose that goes beyond connectivity, demonstrating how private sector innovation can compliment public service delivery.

Dr Douglas Mboweni, Group CEO of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, said the initiative could serve as a model for other African countries facing similar rural healthcare challenges. “When infrastructure can serve communities in more ways than one, we are not just building towers; we are building lifelines,” he said.

Econet InfraCo is also exploring additional projects, including the construction of small footbridges to improve rural access.

“We can put up bridges to help women and children cross rivers safely while attending to base stations,” Dr Mboweni said.

“These bridges would improve access to schools, clinics and markets, particularly during the rainy season when flooded rivers often cut off communities from access to markets and service delivery centres.”

Unlike traditional corporate social responsibility programmes, Econet’s initiatives are embedded into annual budgets and operational structures, with full-time staff dedicated to social impact.

“Our commitment goes well beyond one-off donations,” Dr Mboweni said, citing the company’s work with education programmes in Zimbabwe and health and education support in Lesotho.

As rural clinics gain access to reliable electricity, patients and staff are experiencing firsthand how a private company’s infrastructure can deliver both connectivity and social impact at the same time.

Econet’s historic $1bn IPO to reshape Zim telecoms

IT Web Africa 5 February 2026

Zimbabwe’s telecoms sector is on the brink of a historic capital markets moment as Econet Wireless prepares to spin off and list its infrastructure arm, Econet InfraCo, at a headline valuation of US$1 billion.

The jaw-dropping figure positions the transaction as potentially the largest IPO in the country’s history and one of the most consequential restructurings since the operator first joined the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE).

Founded by Zimbabwean telecoms billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, Econet’s 1998 ZSE listing symbolised a new era of private sector telecoms investment.

Nearly three decades later, the group is once again reshaping the market, this time by separating its capital-intensive infrastructure assets to unlock value and align with a global telecoms trend increasingly visible across Africa.

At the heart of the deal is a revaluation of Econet’s underlying assets. According to the shareholder circular, the group’s implied structure now comprises two pillars: Econet Wireless’ core mobile and digital services business, valued at roughly US$507 million, and the newly independent InfraCo, valued at US$1 billion.

The infrastructure unit consolidates towers, property holdings and renewable energy assets, segments traditionally hidden within the telecom balance sheet.

“This reflects the intrinsic value of the Group’s real estate, passive telecommunications infrastructure and renewable energy assets,” Econet said in its circular. It argues that the separation allows infrastructure to be priced and managed on its own growth fundamentals.

InfraCo will debut on the US dollar-denominated Victoria Falls Stock Exchange by introduction, meaning no fresh capital is raised immediately.

Instead, shares are distributed to existing investors to crystallise value while giving the new entity freedom to attract specialised infrastructure capital over time.

Strategically, InfraCo is designed to become more than a landlord to its parent. A long-term anchor tenancy with Econet Wireless ensures stable, USD revenues from tower infrastructure, while management plans to pursue infrastructure sharing with other operators.

Its real estate ambitions are anchored by the proposed 1 000-acre Econet Industrial Park near Harare, effectively a data, logistics and industrial ecosystem that could support future digital infrastructure expansion.

The energy division is expected to evolve from internal site power solutions into a broader renewable energy platform serving national clients.

The listing is tied to a shareholder vote that would see Econet Wireless delist from the ZSE main board and migrate to an over-the-counter platform, a move the company says is aimed at protecting shareholder value amid persistent valuation discounts compared to African telecom peers that have already separated tower assets.

By carving out its infrastructure into a standalone, dollar-denominated vehicle, Econet joins regional heavyweights, MTN Group, Vodacom, Airtel Africa and Orange Middle East & Africa, that have unlocked infrastructure value to power digital expansion.

Econet Reshapes Group Structure with ZSE Delisting and $1.08bn InfraCo Spin-Off

Tech Africa News 5 February 2026

Overall, this corporate action is expected to reshape Zimbabwe’s telecom landscape by creating two clearly defined entities: a nimble, service-focused telecommunications operator and a capital-intensive, revenue-generating infrastructure company, each with distinct growth trajectories and investor propositions.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe  is preparing for a landmark corporate restructuring that will see the company voluntarily delist from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and list its infrastructure subsidiary, Econet InfraCo, on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) in a transaction valued at $1.078 billion. The move comes as a response to a longstanding “market valuation disconnect,” where Econet’s intrinsic value has not been fully reflected in its ZSE-traded price, and aims to provide clearer valuation and growth prospects for its various business segments.

As part of the restructuring, Econet plans to delist its 2.99 billion ordinary shares from the ZSE. After the delisting, any trading of Econet shares will take place on an Over-The-Counter (OTC) platform operated by the VFEX, providing shareholders with continued liquidity options outside the main exchange.

Shareholders who opt not to retain their holdings in the unlisted Econet will have the opportunity to participate in an Exit Offer. This offer is structured as a “single, indivisible consideration” comprising US$0.34 in cash per share and 66% in shares of the newly listed Econet InfraCo, valued at US$0.33 per Econet share. This arrangement allows shareholders to maintain exposure to the new infrastructure business while also accessing immediate cash value.

Econet InfraCo, valued at approximately $1.078 billion, will consolidate the group’s real estate, passive telecommunications infrastructure—including towers—and renewable energy assets. The entity represents Zimbabwe’s first integrated real estate and telecommunications infrastructure platform, designed to operate as a standalone, income-generating company with long-term, USD-denominated contractual revenues.

The strategic rationale behind the restructuring is to enhance valuation transparency by unbundling the capital-intensive infrastructure from the active telecommunications operations. This separation allows the telecom business to focus on core digital services such as mobile connectivity and fintech, while Econet InfraCo can be independently valued and financed based on its distinct risk and return profile. By listing on the VFEX, Econet InfraCo benefits from a USD-denominated market environment, positioning it for greater investment appeal and stability.

Overall, this corporate action is expected to reshape Zimbabwe’s telecom landscape by creating two clearly defined entities: a nimble, service-focused telecommunications operator and a capital-intensive, revenue-generating infrastructure company, each with distinct growth trajectories and investor propositions.’

Econet Begins Regulatory Talks on Proposed Delisting and InfraCo Listing

Tech Africa News 7 January 2026

The company disclosed that the engagements are aimed at facilitating the publication of a circular to shareholders detailing the proposed delisting of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and the simultaneous listing of Econet Infrastructure Company (Econet InfraCo) on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX).

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited  has announced that it has commenced engagements with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) regarding the proposed voluntary delisting of the company. The update follows earlier cautionary announcements issued on 3 December 2025 and 15 December 2025.

The company disclosed that the engagements are aimed at facilitating the publication of a circular to shareholders detailing the proposed delisting of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and the simultaneous listing of Econet Infrastructure Company (Econet InfraCo) on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX). Econet InfraCo will hold the Group’s real estate, telecommunications tower, and renewable energy assets.

Econet said the shareholder circular will be published once all necessary regulatory discussions and approvals have been concluded. The document will outline the full terms, structure, and implications of both the proposed delisting and the planned InfraCo listing.

In the interim, shareholders have been advised to continue exercising caution when dealing in the company’s securities until further details are formally released.’’

Econet appoints former executive Fayaz King to lead US$1bn infrastructure subsidiary

The Herald 11 February 2025

Mr King, a distinguished executive and business leader who left the company in 2019 to take up a post as an Assistant Secretary General at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), will assume the role with effect from 1 March, 2026.

Econet InfraCo is set to list on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) at the end of March, when shareholders approve a migration of parent company, Econet Wireless from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) to an Over-the-Counter platform on the VFEX.

In a circular published to shareholders last week, the company revealed , for the first time, that Econet InfraCo, which has until now operated as a division within Econet, generates revenues of almost $150 million and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of more than $50 million.

The company has no debts, as all debt is carried by the parent company. Its strong financial position is a key reason independent experts have set its value at US$1billion.

Analysts have also observed the similarities of Econet Infraco’s business model with a real estate business because its operations involve the leasing of towers, power, land and buildings.

Its income is in US dollars, making it perfect for the VFEX. It is understood that during the hyper-inflationary period Econet used real estate investments as a way to hedge its balance sheet.

It currently has a strong real estate portfolio of land and buildings across the country which now form part of the infrastructure company. It can now freely develop these properties or dispose of them as it sees fit.

Econet Infraco has already announced plans to build an Industrial Park on a 300-hactare piece of land that the company has been holding near Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.