The first phase of a landmark cross-border fibre project – a new high-capacity digital corridor to connect Zimbabwe to Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and the wider Paratus network across Southern Africa – is now live and carrying traffic.

The new route is the first major milestone of the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement signed in June 2025 between Powertel Communications and Paratus Zimbabwe to jointly invest in and develop high-capacity long-distance fibre infrastructure across Zimbabwe.

As equal investment partners, the project leverages Powertel’s extensive national fibre backbone and Paratus’ continental network reach, technology, technical expertise and experience in building resilient telecommunications infrastructure across Africa.

The operational section between Plumtree and Bulawayo represents the first active Paratus-connected fibre route into Zimbabwe and is an important step in building deeper regional integration.

“Beyond being another fibre route, this development enables world-class interconnection by linking Zimbabwe into Africa's quality network while strengthening cross-border connectivity, enhancing digital inclusion and supporting long-term economic growth across the region,” Paratus noted in a statement.

The newly operational route leverages the latest dense wavelength division multiplexing technology, capable of delivering capacities in excess of 10 Tb/s.

The first phase is already live with an initial equipped traffic capacity of 800 Gb, while the second phase, connecting Bulawayo and Livingstone, is due to go live in September 2026, completing the strategic three-country, cross-border connected corridor.

“This is a defining moment for Powertel, as the project is planned, built, owned and operated by Powertel, as the licensed national carrier under the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe and the telecommunications arm of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA),” said Powertel Communications MD Willard Nyagwande.

“The indefeasible right of use (IRU) with our partner Paratus is the commercial vehicle that this project’s success rides on that allows us to lead this corridor with the financial backing of a renowned and reputable continental partner, while retaining the operational primacy over the asset, the regulator-facing relationship and accountability to ZESA and the people of Zimbabwe.”

This IRU converts a national infrastructure ambition into a bankable, investable, replicable commercial reality and aligns the incentives of both parties over the full economic life of the asset.

“The live deployment is yet another major step forward in delivering on the original vision of a connected regional corridor,” added Paratus Group chief commercial officer Martin Cox.

“When we announced the PPP and this project last year, we set out a clear vision to create the first high-capacity digital corridor linking Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Today, we are delighted that the first phase is live, carrying traffic and already delivering real, measurable progress towards that vision.

“This is about far more than fibre infrastructure. It is about building the digital foundations that enable economic growth, regional integration and improved access to world-class connectivity.”

By integrating Zimbabwe into the Paratus network, the company is extending the reach of its contiguous network from South Africa through Botswana and Zimbabwe into Zambia, creating resilient connectivity for businesses, service providers and communities across the region.

“This is just the first of many routes that Paratus plans to develop as we continue expanding Africa's quality network.”

This project represents a strategic investment in Zimbabwe's digital economy, regional integration and long-term economic development, which supports the aspirations of Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy and Zimbabwe's Digital Economy Strategy by strengthening the digital infrastructure required for modern commerce, education, healthcare, e-government, financial services and industrial development, said Zimbabwe sovereign wealth fund Mutapa Investment Fund energy and trading cluster head Tinashe Yafele.

“It also positions Zimbabwe as a strategic regional telecommunications gateway connecting Southern Africa,” he said, challenging Powertel Communications and Paratus to remain focused on completing the remaining critical phases of this strategic corridor stretching into Victoria Falls to Livingstone, Zambia and to continue modernising and investing in infrastructure that strengthens Zimbabwe's competitiveness, enhances regional integration and drives sustainable economic growth.

Work on the next phase of the project, extending the route from Bulawayo to Livingstone, is underway and due for completion within the next quarter. Once complete, the corridor will further strengthen regional network resilience while creating new opportunities for trade, innovation and digital participation across Southern Africa.