In a rather unprecedented and rarely seen move in the Zimbabwe business world, Econet is planning to delist on the Zimbabwe stock exchange and the company also made a number of chages in it's business and structure with the splitting of it's operations nd introducing entities like Econet InfraCo. While some understand what it means other don't especially those who buy stock without having deeper comprehension of how it all really works, we are here to explain to you. So to address the elephant in the room and answer the most asked question, yes Econet will still be a public company after it delists and all the rules that affect public companies will still affect, for example getting shareholder approval for major decisions and so on. So what will happen to the shareholders and the country as a whole since Econet is one of the biggest companies i Zimbabwe. Let's get on into with it.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s board circulated a detailed shareholder circular (dated February 4, 2026) proposing a voluntary delisting from the ZSE and the creation by way of a reconstruction of Econet Infrastructure Company (Econet InfraCo). The infrastructure company would hold the group’s real estate, passive telecoms towers and renewable energy assets and would be introduced for listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX).
If shareholders and regulators approve the plan, Econet will delist 2.99 billion ordinary Econet shares from the ZSE and also spin off infrastructure assets into Econet InfraCo and list that business on the VFEX, although if social media is anything to go by, Econet InfraCo has already started running ads on social networks. But the most intriguing result of this restructuring is that the telecoms operating business as an unlisted public company trading on an over‑the‑counter (OTC) platform operated by the VFEX, with a board-determined floor price and liquidity mechanisms. The board argues that a persistent valuation disconnect between Econet’s traded ZSE price and the underlying asset value driven by low liquidity, weak price discovery and limited institutional participation means the share price no longer reflects the company’s economic worth.
The exit offer (what shareholders are being offered)
Shareholders who do not wish to stay invested in an unlisted Econet will be able to accept the Exit Offer: a single, indivisible consideration of US$0.50 per share, delivered as US$0.17 cash plus US$0.33 in Econet InfraCo shares (one Econet InfraCo share for every Econet share tendered).
According to the circular the cash component is calculated using the 90‑day VWAP prior to the first cautionary announcement, while the share component reflects the independently determined value of the infrastructure assets. The company says the combined figure equates to an implied Econet InfraCo enterprise value of about US$1 billion, or roughly US$0.33 per Econet share. The board describes the cash-and-share package as a market‑leading premium to recent trading levels more than 150% relative to the 90‑day VWAP before the transaction was announced and up to 400% versus selected 2025 trading prices. Econet will seek shareholder approval for the delisting and the restructuring at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for February 26, 2026. The circular states that if shareholders do not approve the delisting, the Exit Offer will not be implemented and Econet InfraCo will not be listed.
Why Econet is doing this (the logic behind)
The company’s board says the local capital market’s structural constraints reduced liquidity, limited institutional participation and poor price discovery have suppressed Econet’s market valuation. The board argues that raising fresh equity at prevailing ZSE prices would be “value‑destructive” for long‑term shareholders, and that separating infrastructure into a standalone, asset‑backed company listed on VFEX will better reflect the assets’ value and unlock shareholder value. Beyond corporate strategy, the move is also a test for Zimbabwe’s capital markets: whether alternative platforms such as the VFEX can better support valuation, liquidity and capital formation for large, asset‑heavy companies.
Structure, safeguards and post‑transaction arrangements
What this means for shareholders (practical implications)
So in conclusion Econet’s proposal is significant for shareholders and Zimbabwe’s capital markets. The split‑value Exit Offer is designed to provide immediate compensation (cash) plus exposure to asset‑backed infrastructure (shares). The success of the plan depends on shareholder approval at the February 26, 2026 EGM and regulatory sign‑offs for the proposed VFEX introduction on March 31, 2026. If you’re an Econet shareholder: read the circular carefully, consider liquidity needs, tax consequences and whether you prefer immediate cash + listed infrastructure exposure or continued ownership of the operating telecoms company as an unlisted entity.
Just for the sake of clarity and understaning let's how stock exchanges and moves like this work incase you are interested in investing in companies(The Basics)
What is a stock exchange?
A stock exchange is a regulated marketplace where investors buy and sell shares in companies. Exchanges provide price discovery (the process of finding the market price), liquidity (the ability to buy/sell without moving the price a lot), and a framework of rules and disclosures that protect investors. Different exchanges serve different needs.
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) is the country’s primary exchange for listed securities. The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) is a relatively newer exchange intended to attract foreign currency transactions and international investors.
Listing, delisting and listing by introduction
Listing: When a company lists, it offers shares to the public on an exchange. Listing gives companies access to capital and gives investors an easy way to trade shares.
Delisting: When a company delists, its shares are removed from the exchange and no longer trade on that public market. Delisting can be voluntary (company decision) or involuntary (breach of rules). After delisting, shares may trade OTC or not at all.
Listing by introduction: A company can be listed by introduction when existing shareholders transfer shares to public markets without an initial primary capital raise. It’s often used when a company already has an ownership structure and meets listing requirements.
What is VWAP (Volume‑Weighted Average Price)?
VWAP is the average price of a security weighted by trading volume over a period. A 90‑day VWAP averages prices across 90 days, giving more weight to prices when more shares changed hands. Using VWAP in offers or valuations smooths short-term price spikes and gives a fairer picture of recent market prices.
Premiums and why companies offer them
A premium is an offer above a recent market price to encourage shareholders to sell. In takeover offers or exit offers, premiums help compensate shareholders for giving up future upside and for accepting less liquidity (if the company becomes unlisted).
Over‑the‑counter (OTC) trading
OTC trading happens outside formal exchanges, often via broker networks. OTC markets tend to have lower liquidity, higher spreads and wider price swings, making it harder for investors to buy or sell large blocks of shares without affecting price.
Dividend in specie
A dividend in specie is a non‑cash distribution to shareholders — for example, shares in a newly listed subsidiary. It’s a way to move assets into public hands and meet public float or regulatory requirements.
Why companies separate infrastructure from operations
For asset‑heavy groups, splitting capital‑intensive, long‑life assets (like towers, real estate and energy assets) into a separately listed infrastructure company can highlight those assets’ value, attract different investors (e.g., yield‑focused or foreign investors) and improve the parent company’s strategic focus.
Liquidity, price discovery and institutional participation
Liquidity: Easier trading and deeper order books typically produce more accurate market prices.
Price discovery: Frequent, active trading helps the market settle on a fair price for shares.
Institutional participation: Pension funds, asset managers and foreigners often provide large, stable capital that improves liquidity and corporate governance.
If markets lack these features, companies may trade below what management and independent valuations believe the assets are worth.
So basically these are the fundametals you should know before investing in any company, you should understand all these concepts in depth before rushing into investing.
If you have a tip, a story, or something you want us to cover get in touch with us by clicking here. Sign up to our newsletter so you won’t miss a post and stay in the loop and updated also we will be launching a free basic cybersecurity short course for beginners to teach you how to protect yourself online. Just subscribe for free to our newsletter and create an account on Perusee to be eligible.
Note: You can also advertise on Perusee, just contact us, call or app +263 78 613 9635
Click here to Follow our WhatsApp channel
Keep comments respectful and in line with the article, also create an account and login to chat with members in our forum, get help on issues you need help with from community members.