- Zimbabwe plans ZIMSAT-3 satellite under 2026-2030 development strategy
- Satellite to boost broadband, digital services in rural and urban areas
- Plan expands fibre, mobile networks, infrastructure sharing to cut costs
Zimbabwe plans to deploy a third national satellite, ZIMSAT-3, to improve connectivity, according to its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) for 2026-2030.
The satellite is expected to support broadband expansion and improve access to digital services in both rural and urban areas, the strategy document says.
The plan forms part of broader efforts to expand internet access nationwide. In March 2024, the government said it was exploring partnerships with several satellite service providers to extend coverage and lower costs.
NDS2 also sets out measures to expand digital infrastructure, including wider high-speed fibre-optic coverage in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, broader mobile broadband access, and the installation of solar-powered digital kiosks in off-grid and underserved communities.
The strategy calls for infrastructure-sharing agreements among telecommunications operators to speed up network deployment and reduce the cost of internet and digital services.
The move reflects the growing role of satellite technology in narrowing the digital divide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where challenging terrain complicates the rollout of terrestrial networks, according to the GSMA.
Zimbabwe had 6.45 million internet users at the start of 2025, representing a penetration rate of 38.4%, DataReportal data show. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks covered 93.9%, 87.9%, 51.6% and 15.9% of the country respectively in 2024.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
