Raphael Mushanawani induction into Business Hall of Fame a challenging milestone for NetOne

Lovemore Chazingwa

The induction of NetOne chief executive, Raphael Mushanawani into the National Business Hall of Fame, administered by Champions Africa, has upped the game for the telecommunications sector in general and NetOne in particular.
That recognition puts competition on a higher rung in a sector already characterized by cut throat battles for the market share. This primes the capital and infrastructure intensive business for what may be their biggest challenge in recent time, going forward. Innovation and new products in this era of an ever dynamic business environment calls for futuristic products that discern with the tastes of a market spoilt for choice through available technologies.
For the newly inducted executives, it challenges them to put shoulders on grinding wheels to prove their mettle and remain deserving of existence among other Hall of Famers.
This may entail punching above heights for some.
Such is the new business performance order where Raphael Mushanawani finds himself in.
Business analyst, Christopher Makurane shares his expert view on the inclusion of NetOne Chief executive on the panel this year.
“NetOne has made great strides in business performance which cannot be disputed. In the last decade, the company’s trajectory is impressive across the country. You may remember this company was previously facing a number of challenges which are now water under the bridge. We can safely say it has turned the corner. In recent years it has claimed a significant number of subscribers due to innovative undertakings. It continues to show considerable growth while churning out popular products for the market. Yes, we’re not surprised when their ceo is selected business leaders to be inducted into that prestigious National Business Hall of Fame this year. We have seen that the company’s overall performance has grown albeit under a tight macroeconomic environment. Their services are in sync with modern trends hence, attracting a marked percentage of the most active demography in ICT usage.”
The team at NetOne is also challenged to continue in the groove so that their recognition, through their honoured emissary, Raphael Mushanawani, is not seen as a fluke. The team has to further roll up sleeves for challenges and competition in the information communication technology sector.
On accepting the honour, Mushanawani was humble enough to give credit to his team at NetOne hence, their call to maintain or up the momentum.
“It would not have been possible were it not for the team that I work with. It is a diversified team, but what keeps us together is the spirit of success,” said Mushanawani.
The incumbent chief executive joined NetOne in 2015 as the chief information technology officer (CITO). He rose through the ranks to become the acting chief executive officer (CEO) and subsequently occupying that position in a substantive role. Since then, Mushanawani has not looked back but continued to roll out contemporary products that are meant to serve a diverse market segment. The company’s participation in national programs such as the Presidential National Clean-Up Day, held each first Friday every month, investment in wellness and sports programs as well as corporate social responsibility initiatives countrywide speak volumes about the chief executive’s philosophy on playing a key role in national development and ploughing back to communities they operate in.
The company has coined a primary tagline, ‘The World In One’ and more recently the trending ‘Your Digital Solutions Network’, as a way to flag its holistic approach to technological service provision in the country.
Other peers in the prestigious National Business Hall of Fame inductees 2026 include Dr. Shepherd Fungura of ZB Holdings, Dr. Dexter Savadye at National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe, Mr. Justin Machibaya, Homelux Group, Mr. Glen Peters of KDV Bedding,
Mr. Wilfred Matukeni famed for steering the ship at National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC), Mr. Moses Kurenjekwa who is at continental financial giant Ecobank, Zimbabwe operations, Mr. Luxon Zembe a veteran business leader now with CBZ Holdings, Dr. Tinashe Manzungu famed for his footprint in the construction industry who is president of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association and Ms. Nennice Chinhara oiling the team at fuel utility, Glow Petroleum.