Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has announced it will begin on boarding corporate clients to its newly commissioned, state-of-the-art 5 megawatt (MW) data centre in Harare at the end of this month. The facility marks a major leap forward in Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure, offering advanced hosting and cloud services that meet global standards.
Developed in collaboration with Africa Data Centres — the continent’s largest data centre operator and a sister company to Econet — the facility is poised to deliver enterprise-grade cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data storage services to Zimbabwean businesses across sectors.
Commenting on the launch, Econet Group CEO Douglas Mboweni said the new data centre was purpose-built to ensure high availability, security, and operational continuity for clients seeking dependable digital solutions.
“With 100% guaranteed power availability, businesses can eliminate the disruptions caused by load shedding,” Mboweni said. “This facility is designed to meet the highest international standards, ensuring uninterrupted operations and a secure environment for critical IT infrastructure.”
Mboweni noted that clients would benefit from a comprehensive suite of technology services through Econet’s partnership with Cassava Technologies, which collaborates with major global players such as Google, Microsoft, and Palo Alto Networks. These services include cloud-based storage, artificial intelligence solutions, and enterprise-grade cybersecurity.
Zimbabwe has long struggled with inconsistent electricity supply, a persistent challenge for companies that depend heavily on digital infrastructure. The launch of the 5MW facility addresses this long-standing issue by offering a reliable, off-site solution for IT operations.
Econet to Begin Onboarding Corporate Clients to New 5MW Data Centre in Harare
“It’s increasingly difficult for local businesses to maintain reliable computing power under constant threat of load shedding,” Mboweni said. “This facility includes multiple layers of power redundancy, giving clients peace of mind. There’s no longer a a need for heavy investment in on-premise servers — companies can colocate their infrastructure at our centre and we’ll manage the backend.”
While Econet will provide the infrastructure and maintenance, clients will retain full control over their systems. Mboweni emphasized that client IT teams will have the autonomy to operate their environments as needed, with on-site access and without interference.
The facility is designed with future scalability in mind. According to Mboweni, Econet plans to double the data centre’s capacity to 10MW in the near future, in response to growing demand fueled by artificial intelligence adoption and rapid digital transformation across industries.
“As AI continues to evolve and more businesses digitize their operations, the need for secure, high-performance data storage and processing power will grow exponentially,” he said. “We are positioning ourselves to meet those future needs.”
Strategically located in Harare, the new data centre is set to become a regional hub for digital services, aligning Zimbabwe with other leading African markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, where Africa Data Centres already operates facilities in Johannesburg, Lagos, and Nairobi.
Data centres play a critical role in modern digital economies, housing powerful servers and networking equipment that store, process, and distribute massive volumes of data. Businesses rely on them to run essential applications, ensure secure access to cloud-based tools, and maintain business continuity.
Econet’s new facility is not only a technological milestone but also a strategic investment in Zimbabwe’s digital future. It supports the country’s vision of becoming a digitally-driven economy and aligns with broader African Union goals around digital infrastructure and data sovereignty.
The launch signals Econet’s continued commitment to empowering local businesses through innovation and world-class digital services. As the data centre opens its doors to clients this month, it is expected to play a transformative role in driving economic resilience, digital inclusion, and technological progress across Zimbabwe and the region.
