STAFF WRITER
NETONE Group Chief Executive Officer Eng. Raphael Mushanawani has been crowned the Overall Platinum Winner at the Zimbabwe CEOs Network Awards in recognition of his leadership in driving the telecommunications company’s transformation and contribution to the country’s digital development.
The prestigious accolade places Mushanawani among Zimbabwe’s leading corporate executives and comes as NetOne continues to expand connectivity, modernise infrastructure and promote digital inclusion across the country.
Speaking after receiving the award, Mushanawani said the recognition was not a personal achievement but reflected the collective efforts of the entire NetOne team and its stakeholders.
“I receive this recognition with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility.
“While the award bears my name, it is a reflection of the collective efforts of the NetOne family, our Board of Directors, our valued customers, and all stakeholders who continue to believe in our vision,” he said.
He added that the award acknowledged an institution that had embraced innovation, resilience and transformation in pursuit of national development.
Mushanawani attributed his selection as the overall winner to the impact NetOne has made in improving the lives of Zimbabweans through technology and connectivity.
“Today’s leaders are not judged solely by financial results but by their ability to transform organisations, create sustainable value, inspire people and contribute to national development,” he said.
“At NetOne, we have focused on expanding connectivity, driving digital inclusion, modernising infrastructure, enhancing customer experience and positioning technology as a catalyst for economic empowerment.”
Under his leadership, NetOne has accelerated efforts to connect underserved communities and support the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Mushanawani said the company’s achievements were measured not only by technological advancements but also by the social and economic impact of its investments.
“Every connected school, every digitally empowered entrepreneur, every rural community brought into the digital ecosystem represents meaningful progress,” he said.
“We are proving that telecommunications is not merely about connectivity; it is about creating opportunities, unlocking potential and enabling inclusive growth.”
He described NetOne as a strategic enabler of Zimbabwe’s digital future, saying connectivity had become essential for productivity and innovation across all sectors of the economy.
“Connectivity today underpins every sector of the economy, from agriculture and mining to education, healthcare, tourism and financial services. Our responsibility is to build the digital infrastructure that supports productivity, innovation and competitiveness,” he said.
Meanwhile, the award winner acknowledged government support in creating an enabling environment for digitalisation and innovation.
He said the Mutapa Investment Fund had played an important role in strengthening governance, accountability and value creation within State-owned enterprises, helping reinforce NetOne’s focus on performance and innovation.
Despite the pressures of leading one of the country’s largest telecommunications operators, Mushanawani said his motivation came from seeing the transformative impact of technology on people’s lives.
“When you visit a rural community that has just received connectivity, when you see young entrepreneurs building businesses through digital platforms, or when you witness technology improving access to education and information, you realise that the work we do has a direct impact on people’s lives,” he said.
“No leader succeeds alone. Behind every achievement is a dedicated team that shares a common vision and works tirelessly to achieve it,” he said.
Mushanawani said NetOne would continue investing in innovation and future-ready infrastructure to ensure Zimbabwe remains an active participant in the global digital economy.
The Zimbabwe CEOs Network Awards recognise outstanding leadership, innovation and excellence in corporate governance across various sectors of the economy.