Telecel targets big profits

TELECOMS

Telecel Zimbabwe’s new CEO has outlined plans for the company to become the most profitable mobile operator in Zimbabwe.

Telecel CEO Francis Mawindi, back from a ten-year stint of working with major operators abroad, told a media conference today that his vision is for Telecel to become the most innovative and pioneering communications company of choice in Zimbabwe and the region.

He said: “My mission is very clear. It is to make Telecel Zimbabwe that “shining star on top of the hill” and ensure that it becomes the most profitable mobile operator of choice in Zimbabwe and the region, with unmatched and superior customer service.”

Mawindi said Telecel had been ‘boldly resilient’ for quite some time, even in difficult times characterised by economic contraction, hyperinflation, liquidity challenges and inadequate investments.

However, once economic stability returned, Telecel was quick to rise to the challenge and take advantage of the new opportunities this presented.

“It quickly changed the face of mobile communications in Zimbabwe by making them affordable for ordinary people. That, I think, will be part of Telecel Zimbabwe’s enduring legacy and contribution to our country’s development.”

He said the company had simplified its  processes to make them more efficient and ensure its services remain affordable, as well as addingnew value-added services and promotions, continued with our network expansion, installed new computer systems to increase its capacity and efficiency, and was in the process of establishing a new more modern call centre.

“The company is now well capitalised, with the injection of a $70 million capital investment, and is on an aggressive network expansion drive. By the end of the year we expect to have completed the installation of base stations at more than 200 new sites, bringing to more than 575  the number of base station sites we have altogether.

This should mean that by the end of the year about 85% of the country’s population will be able to access Telecel’s network. Next year we hope to push the coverage up to close to 90%.”

“We are expanding our retail network as well. We have 12 retail outlets country-wide. By the end of the year we expect to have 18. We have planned more for next year.”