Ten Zimbabwean startups will pitch at the Startup World Cup Zimbabwe Regional Finale in Harare, competing for the chance to represent the country at the global finale in San Francisco. The finalists work across areas including industrial lubricants, logistics, investment access, agriculture, education, and healthcare, with several applying artificial intelligence. Organized by Tech Hub Harare and Brieftech Investments, the event is intended to connect entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and markets; one startup will be selected to advance.

Zimbabwe is experiencing a reported wave of WhatsApp account takeovers and scams, with users saying they have been logged out even when retaining their SIM cards or using two-step verification. Digital expert Kuda Musasiwa describes a possible method involving Econet lines, call or SMS forwarding, and interception of verification codes, while cybersecurity specialists caution that cases may also involve social engineering, SIM replacement weaknesses, malicious device linking, or compromised phones. Attackers may impersonate businesses, access customer conversations, and solicit fraudulent payments. Econet advises customers to use passkeys and two-step verification and never share codes or PINs; experts also recommend reviewing linked devices, protecting recovery processes, verifying payment requests, and reporting incidents quickly.

Zimbabwe’s mobile network operators recorded a 2.36% year-on-year revenue decline in Q1 2026 to ZWG 7.55 billion, while operating costs fell 1.25%. Capital expenditure nevertheless surged 152% to ZWG 2.73 billion, apparently reflecting preparations for 5G, expanded rural coverage and a 57% rise in data usage. Data became the largest revenue source at 46.34%, overtaking declining voice revenue, while average revenue per user fell 5.20% and the cost-to-income ratio worsened to 60.79%.

Zimbabwe’s “Other” mobile-data category, including TikTok, Instagram, Netflix, YouTube Shorts and general web browsing, rose 15.59% to 113.9 billion MB in Q1 2026, far exceeding WhatsApp’s 36.7 billion MB. The shift toward video streaming and social-media consumption is increasing network traffic while voice and SMS usage decline. Although Econet’s data traffic grew 20%, its revenue per user fell 5.2%, highlighting the challenge for mobile operators of monetizing higher data demand.

Zimbabwe’s traditional mobile voice traffic fell 8.38% in the first quarter of 2026 to 4.64 billion minutes, according to POTRAZ, as consumers increasingly use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and other over-the-top services over data bundles. Net-on-net, cross-network and international calls all declined, while outbound roaming increased. Econet retained a dominant 88.34% share of voice traffic, but operators face pressure to replace declining voice revenue with data, bundles and digital content. The trend is expected to continue as LTE and 5G coverage expands and data becomes cheaper.

Zimbabwean mobile network operators deployed 327 new base stations in the first quarter of 2026, including 161 LTE, 85 3G, 68 2G and 13 5G sites, bringing the national total of 5G sites to 379. Econet made most of the new investments, while NetOne added LTE sites and Telecel made no reported additions. 5G coverage reached 18.94% of the population, with rural 3G access at 73.8%. According to POTRAZ, operator capital expenditure rose 152% to ZWG 2.73 billion to accommodate 57% year-on-year data-traffic growth driven largely by video and social-media services.

CBZ Bank has received Sustainability Certification from the International Council of Sustainability Standards for Value-Driven Financial Institutions and the European Organisation for Sustainable Development. The certification recognizes the bank’s efforts to integrate sustainability across its operations and use its financial capacity to support enterprise development, investment and Zimbabwe’s long-term economic competitiveness. CBZ says the certification is a milestone rather than an endpoint, with its ultimate value to be measured by stronger businesses, new investment opportunities and benefits for customers, communities and the wider nation.

The People’s Own Savings Bank of Zimbabwe has received sustainability certification from the European Organisation for Sustainable Development under the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative. CEO Garainashe Changunda said the certification recognises the integration of sustainability into POSB’s governance, strategy, operations, financial products and decision-making. The bank plans to strengthen impact measurement and disclosures, expand sustainable financial solutions, and explore development and climate finance, with priorities including savings mobilisation, financial inclusion and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Cimas Health Group renamed its Bulawayo Medical Centre the Sipho Zwana Medical Centre in honour of the late Dr Sipho Leonard Vivian Zwana, Zimbabwe’s first black anaesthetist. The ceremony, held during Cimas’s 80th anniversary celebrations, recognised Zwana’s pioneering medical career, including his service at Mpilo Hospital, Parirenyatwa Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals. Government official Judith Mkwanda Ncube and Cimas CEO Vuli Ndlovu said the renaming preserves his legacy and encourages future health professionals to uphold and extend his contribution. Founded in 1945, Cimas has expanded from a medical aid society into a broader healthcare and wellness provider operating across Zimbabwe.

First Capital Bank will host Zimbabwe’s inaugural major padel tournament at Stable Sports in Borrowdale, Harare, on 22–23 August 2026. The men’s and women’s doubles competition offers US$2,500 in prize money, with the top two teams in each category qualifying for the FMBCapital Group Regional Padel Grand Final in Botswana. Entry costs US$30 per team, and the event will conclude with a prize-giving and client networking function. The tournament extends First Capital Bank’s five-year sports sponsorship strategy, previously associated with the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open.