By Fanuel Chinowaita
Engineer Raphael Mushanawani ( NetOne C.E.O)
Mutare, Zimbabwe – NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, has been named Business Leader of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Awards, held in Mutare today.
The award recognises Eng. Mushanawani’s outstanding leadership and transformative role in steering NetOne to new heights in the country’s competitive telecommunications sector. Under his stewardship, the state-owned mobile network operator has recorded substantial growth in subscriber base, rolled out innovative digital products, and improved service delivery across Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, which was graced by Manicaland Minister of State, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Eng. Mushanawani was lauded for bridging the digital divide and contributing significantly to national development through inclusive connectivity.
“Eng. Mushanawani has demonstrated visionary leadership and resilience in a challenging economic environment. His work has not only positioned NetOne as a market force but has also helped drive digital inclusion, especially in marginalised communities,” said a ZNCC official during the event.
The award comes at a time when NetOne continues to invest in infrastructure expansion and innovative services to meet growing demand for connectivity and data services. The company has also strengthened its corporate governance systems and stakeholder engagement under Mushanawani’s leadership.
In his acceptance remarks, Eng. Mushanawani dedicated the award to the entire NetOne team and reaffirmed his commitment to pushing the company towards greater innovation and national impact.
This recognition marks another milestone for the parastatal, which has become a key player in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda.