IMC
IMC is a business in Zimbabwe owned by controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The company's CEO is Denny Marandure who was appointed in June 2024.
The existence of IMC became public knowledge when President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that Starlink had been awarded a license to provide internet services in Zimbabwe through its partnership with IMC. Shortly after the announcement, IMC appeared to hastly put together a website, which was then immediately taken offline as Zimbabweans on social media pointed out that the company was owned by Wicknell Chivayo.
Mnangagwa's announcement on social media read:
One of the strategic pillars that anchor the 2nd Republic’s developmental agenda under Vision 2030 is innovation, science and technology. Prioritization of the digital economy and the emerging importance of technology in our day to day activities requires Government to lead from the front in providing an environment where investment in technology is promoted.
In this vein, I’m pleased to announce that i have approved the licensing of Starlink by POTRAZ to provide advanced internet and related digital processing services in Zimbabwe through its sole and exclusive local partner, IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd. Starlink is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite operator wholly owned by global conglomerate Space X led by promiment multi-billionaire Elon Musk.
The entry by Starlink in the digital telecommunications space in Zimbabwe is expected to result in the deployment of high speed, low cost, LEO internet infrastructure throughout Zimbabwe and particularly in all the rural areas. This will be in fulfillment of my Administration’s undertaking to leave no one and no place behind. The investment confidence expressed by Starlink in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications infrastructure also dovetails with the 2nd Republic’s mantra, “Zimbabwe is open for business”. I encourage more investment by foreign conglomerates in Zimbabwe as we are an investment destination of choice.
I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, to congratulate IMC Communications (Pvt) Ltd and Starlink on this commendable milestone aimed at revolutionizing the digital and communications technology landscape in Zimbabwe. Investments of this magnitude and strategic importance represent the cornerstone for achieving the 2nd Republic’s objective of having a fully digitalized, upper-middle income economy by 2030.
Even after the website was taken down, the media was able to connect IMC to Intratek through it's address establishing the link to Chivayo as he also owns Intratek. Local technology blog, Techzim, reported that it had visited Intratek and confirmed that the two companies were indeed connected and both owned by Chivayo.[1]
- ↑ Starlink’s Zimbabwean partner, IMC, does not technically exist yet, Tecchzim, Published: 29 May 2024, Accessed: 16 June 2024
