Overview of Econet
Econet Wireless is Zimbabwe's largest operator, founded by Strive Masiyiwa. In Q4 2024 it had about 11.32 million active mobile users, up 4.21% year on year, and about 88.61% of mobile voice traffic. In Q4 2022 its share of users was about 69.9%, and it has kept the lead. Econet also operates in Lesotho and Burundi. The affiliated company Liquid Telecom (Liquid Intelligent Technologies) runs Africa's largest independent fiber network, more than 110,000 km across 12 countries. The Econet group also includes Cassava Technologies (fintech, data centers, and related businesses).
For enterprises, Econet offers mobile IoT connectivity in Zimbabwe and in its other countries. Liquid's fiber is the fixed side of that offer, including cross-border IoT.
Econet facts
- Founded: 1998 (Zimbabwe)
- Founder: Strive Masiyiwa
- Headquarters: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Users, Q4 2024: About 11.32 million (up 4.21% year on year)
- Voice-traffic share: About 88.61%
- Markets: Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Burundi, and others
- Affiliates: Liquid Telecom, Cassava Technologies
- Network: 2G, 3G, 4G, and EcoCash mobile payments
Development History and Milestones
In 1998 Econet received a licence in Zimbabwe and opened commercial service, ending the state monopoly. Founder Strive Masiyiwa obtained that licence after years of litigation. Through the 2000s Econet expanded quickly and became the leading operator in Zimbabwe. In the 2010s it launched EcoCash and extended into Lesotho and Burundi. Liquid Telecom (formerly Econet Satellite Services) built fiber and data centers across Africa. In the 2020s the group was brought together under Cassava Technologies, covering mobile, fiber, fintech, and data centers.
Core Technical Capabilities
Market dominance
About 89% of voice traffic in Zimbabwe
EcoCash
Zimbabwe's leading mobile payment platform
Liquid collaboration
More than 110,000 km of pan-African fiber, used with the mobile network
Multi-country operations
Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Burundi, etc.
IoT Applications
Econet offers mobile IoT connectivity in Zimbabwe and in its other countries, and EcoCash can carry the payment side. Liquid fiber supports enterprise leased lines, data centers, and IoT backhaul. Smart agriculture and smart-city projects are underway in Zimbabwe. Econet and Liquid can be combined into one fixed-and-mobile IoT service.
Competitive Advantages
- Zimbabwe: About 89% of voice traffic, a clear lead
- EcoCash: The leading mobile-payment service, also used for consumer IoT
- Liquid fiber: Pan-African fiber and data centers, paired with the mobile network
- Founder: Strive Masiyiwa, a well-known figure in African technology