Following the deal between Zimbabwe's government and VimpelCom for the majority stake in Telecel Zimbabwe, the telco has announced a strategy to enhance its national presence.

Telecel now forms part of a group of companies controlled by the government, including NetOne and fixed phone operator, TelOne.

Telecel Zimbabwe is looking to leverage its established offering in Telecash mobile money and establish additional service centres, kiosks and other retail outlets.

This retail network would offer services such as SIM card purchase and registration, mobile money cash in and cash-out and line reconnections, a senior executive said.

According to company officials the strategy is to provide customers with improved access to support and services, and secure greater market share.

"It is a strategy that is working because we are now where the people who use our services are instead of them coming to us and wasting precious time queuing for reconnections and other support services. The branded retail and kiosk outlets are also a way of empowering local business people to start off their own ventures," said another executive at the company.

Obert Mandimika, the branding and communications manager for Telecel Zimbabwe said that the company had increased its presence after increasing the number of kiosk outlets to 500, from 200 in September.

The company started the initiative to roll out kiosks and retail outlets in July this year. Telecel has around 3 million mobile network subscribers while its mobile money platform has also grown in the past few months.

"Telecel intends to continue to focus on the convenience our customers have come to expect. Telecel's retail expansion ... goes further to offer business opportunities to local entrepreneurs who have a chance to partner us in running the kiosks or franchises," said Mandimika.