Business Reporter
NETONE Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani was on Thursday evening inducted into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame, receiving one of Zimbabwe’s top corporate honors for his leadership and contribution to the telecommunications sector.
The ceremony, organised by The Champions Africa, brought together leading figures from Zimbabwe’s business community to recognise excellence across major corporations and small-to-medium enterprises.
Award recipients were selected based on leadership excellence, innovation, and organisational growth.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Eng Mushanawani dedicated the recognition to the NetOne team, crediting staff for the company’s achievements.
“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. I’m grateful for the support that they have given to me,” he said.
His remarks reflected a leadership approach that has emphasised teamwork and transformation at the state-owned mobile network operator during a period of growing competition and rapid digital change in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications industry.
Beyond his role at NetOne, Eng Mushanawani also serves on the board of Zimpapers, Zimbabwe’s largest media company.
The 2026 Business Hall of Fame class included executives from a wide range of sectors including banking, biotechnology, manufacturing, retail, and energy.
Among the inductees were Dr Shepherd Fungura of ZB Holdings, Mr Luxon Zembe of CBZ Holdings, Dr Dexter Savadye of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe, Mr Justin Machibaya of Homelux Group, Mr Glen Peters of KDV Bedding, Mr Wilfred Matukeni of the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC), and Mr Moses Kurenjekwa of Ecobank Zimbabwe.
The event also recognised emerging entrepreneurs and young business leaders through the Young Champions Awards category.
Those honoured included Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association president Mr Tinashe Manzungu, Mr Aaron Kumanja of Realtor Ville Group, and Ms Nennice Chinhara of Glow Petroleum.
Eng Mushanawani’s recognition comes as NetOne continues efforts to strengthen its market position through network expansion, improved service delivery, and wider digital offerings for subscribers across Zimbabwe.
Observers say such awards highlight the growing expectation for state-owned enterprises to operate with the same efficiency, innovation, and accountability associated with private-sector firms.
Closing his acceptance remarks, Eng Mushanawani reiterated the importance of collective effort, saying the achievement belonged as much to the team behind NetOne’s progress as to its leadership.
