Powertel Communications has showcased advanced digital technologies designed to stabilise electricity provision, combat vandalism, and improve efficiency within Zimbabwe’s energy sector.
Speaking at the ZESA-organized StarFM outside broadcasting during the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Powertel marketing and corporate business manager, Dr Prosper Mutswiri, said the company plays a crucial role in supporting ZESA’s operations by providing connectivity and smart solutions that integrate renewable and traditional energy sources.
“Through distributed energy resource management and AI-driven optimisation, we can help stabilise electricity supply and support the national energy roadmap,” Dr Mutswiri said.
He explained that Powertel’s systems will enable the aggregation of renewable power into the national grid, aligning with Zimbabwe’s recently announced Energy Combat Roadmap, which seeks to promote a balanced mix of generation sources.
Leveraging ICT for National Development
As part of ZESA Holdings, Powertel is leveraging the national grid to create an ICT backbone that supports the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030. This approach is aimed at achieving universal data access, particularly for rural and marginalised communities.
The company has also deployed IoT-powered surveillance solutions to curb vandalism and theft of transformers and cables. Technologies such as LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) and software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) have been introduced to strengthen monitoring and response.
Smart Meters and Improved Customer Experience
Powertel is also supporting the rollout of smart meters which enhance efficiency in electricity usage and ensure reliable billing. The technology has already contributed to a 95% success rate in prepaid electricity revenue collection, securing funds for both the utility and national development.
Mutswiri also mentioned that these innovations will not only safeguard infrastructure but also deliver tangible benefits to households through improved power reliability, smarter homes, and greater convenience for customers.