Econet has quietly introduced EcoCloud, a new cloud storage product designed to give subscribers online space for photos, videos, documents and other files.

On paper, the idea makes sense. Many Zimbabweans are constantly deleting files because of full phone storage, while others lose important content when phones are stolen, damaged or reset. A local cloud storage option from Econet could solve a real everyday problem.

But at the moment, EcoCloud’s rollout appears incomplete.

We tried EcoCloud ourselves

To understand how the service works, we purchased the $0.30 EcoCloud bundle.

The purchase went through successfully and we received a confirmation message. So billing is active and customers can already spend money on the product.

The next step should have been simple: download the app or log in and start using the storage.

That is where things became confusing.

We searched the Google Play Store for an EcoCloud app and found nothing. We then searched online and eventually found the EcoCloud web portal. The portal opens to a login page, but there was no obvious option to create an account or register as a new user.

In short, customers can currently buy the bundle, but there is no clear onboarding path for first-time users.

Unless Econet provides more communication or updates the system, many subscribers may pay for a service they cannot immediately access.

Our advice right now

At this stage, we would advise users to wait before buying EcoCloud bundles until Econet gives proper instructions on:

  • where to download the app (if one exists)
  • how to register a new account
  • how login credentials are created
  • how the storage works after purchase
  • whether the service is web-only or app-based

A product like this needs clear first steps, especially for everyday users.

Full EcoCloud bundles currently showing

The following EcoCloud bundles are currently appearing in Econet channels:

  • $0.30 - EcoCloud 25GB
  • $0.65 - EcoCloud 50GB
  • $2.00 - EcoCloud 100GB
  • $2.80 - EcoCloud Unlimited
  • $40.00 - Peak 25GB + Off-Peak 5GB + 30 Day EcoCloud

Those prices suggest Econet is serious about bundling storage into its wider data ecosystem.

Why EcoCloud still matters

Even with the rough rollout, the concept is strong.

Zimbabweans store family memories, WhatsApp media, church recordings, business files, CVs and school documents on their phones. Losing a phone often means losing years of content.

If Econet can polish EcoCloud, simplify sign-up and make access seamless, this could become one of its most useful value-added services.

EcoCloud has potential, but right now it feels like a product launched before the customer journey was fully ready.

People should not have to hunt for login pages after paying for a bundle.

The good news is that this can be fixed quickly with a proper announcement, clear instructions, and a simple sign-up process.

Until then, EcoCloud is more of a promise than a finished service.