HARARE – Zimbabwe is seeking investors to raise more than US$200 million to finance the launch of a telecommunications satellite to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and improve connectivity.
The satellite, part of a broader push to enhance digital infrastructure, follows the successful deployment of two mini-satellites in 2022 and 2024, overseen by the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA). Current satellites are supporting various sectors, including agriculture, mining, and capacity building, by tracking crop health, predicting yields, and assisting in mineral mapping.
Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe Knowledge Process Outsourcing (BKPO), the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said, “We are also pursuing a project or rather to do a project where we want to launch a telecom satellite, we are very serious about this, cost is nearly US$200 million and we are looking for suitors who can assist us to do this.”
He added that once the satellite is launched the country’s connectivity will move up several notches, emphasizing the government’s aggressive pursuit of the project.
Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure expansion is encouraging, with internet penetration expected to exceed 75%, mobile data traffic up 19%, and over 14.5 million mobile data subscriptions. Significant investments by telecom operators and government-led broadband upgrades are strengthening the digital backbone, positioning Zimbabwe as a hub for digital outsourcing.
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) is offering incentives through Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including fiscal incentives, customs exemptions, and streamlined processes for ICT and outsourcing industries. The Sunway City ICT Park in Harare is a prime example of Zimbabwe’s commitment to supporting tech-driven enterprises.
Regionally, Kenya’s Nairobi is a leading outsourcing hub, Rwanda is a conference and digital services centre, and India remains a global benchmark, transforming its economy through education, infrastructure, and export incentives.
