It may have taken longer than in many other countries, but Zimbabwe is now embracing Near Field Communication (NFC) as a convenient, technology-driven way for people to exchange data.
Slowly but surely, this wireless technology—which allows Android phones to access and store data with a tap of a card over short distances—is taking root in Zimbabwe, following its widespread adoption in China, the USA, South Africa, and many other countries.
NFC is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of about 4 cm or less to initiate a connection.
This technology, which saw significant uptake in the developed world over a decade ago, allows users to share small amounts of data between an NFC tag (or card) and an Android-powered device, or between two Android-powered devices.
NFC is limited to short-range communication, so users cannot access this technology unless their devices are in close proximity.
One notable aspect of this technology is that listening to and responding to NFC requests does not require electricity. Additionally, NFC complements other wireless technologies like Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, and even QR codes.
In fact, NFC tends to be more secure than Bluetooth because it operates at a shorter range, allowing for a more stable connection.
In crowded, busy spaces—where many devices may be communicating simultaneously and signal interference is common—NFC proves to be a reliable technology solution.
While one of the main advantages of NFC is its ease of setting up a connection, its distinct limitation is its inability to maintain a connection over long distances or extended periods.
Goodbye, Business Cards?

Tinotenda Marufu, a 21-year-old chemical engineering student at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), has founded a company called Limsync, which uses NFC technology to help people exchange contact information.
Limsync loads a company’s address, contact numbers, and website onto a card, enabling the company to share this information by simply tapping the card on a client’s cellphone.
For Tinotenda, the idea for Limsync and using NFC technology to solve people’s problems first took root in 2019, when he saw tap cards being used by ZUPCO passengers for payment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was convinced of the effectiveness of paperless technology for convenience and ease of access.
Later, when he noticed people exchanging business cards at a business expo in Harare, he began to think about creating an easier way to share information. Limsync was born when he decided to develop a product enabling people to exchange information without traditional business cards.
“We have PVC cards, which cost $30, wooden cards at $50, and metallic cards also at $50. Tap cards have been widely used in China and other countries, but the market here in Zimbabwe is still very small,” Tinotenda explains.
He believes that soon, demand for NFC cards will skyrocket, and he plans to be ready to meet that market’s needs.
“People often throw away business cards or forget about the person, even if they keep the card in their wallet for a long time. With tap cards, it’s different—you keep the information on your phone for as long as you want. Instead of printing many business cards, a client just needs one card to share information with as many people as they choose, just by tapping.”
A determined student who earned 12 As at Ordinary Level and 17 points at Advanced Level, Tinotenda remains committed to his new venture, despite the current challenges.
“The uptake was slow initially. After posting on social media about the cards, I started receiving positive feedback from interested buyers. I got a few sales but soon realized this product appeals to a specific market segment. In Zimbabwe, it’s not yet a product the general population readily identifies with.”
Tinotenda is confident, though, that with developments in many African, European, and Asian countries, NFC technology in Zimbabwe is here to stay and will soon be in high demand.
NFC: What Does the Future Hold?
In fact, reports suggest that the global NFC technology market size is expected to reach USD 34.9 billion by 2025, representing growth of about 14.2% since 2020. Additionally, approximately 94% of all smartphones worldwide are NFC-enabled.
It is estimated that by 2026, around 81% of all cards will be contactless, and consumer spending on contactless transactions is expected to double within this time.
In the NFC sphere, China has positioned itself as a hub of innovation, with a dynamic ecosystem of companies leading NFC technology development.
In many parts of Europe, the use of NFC-enabled cards is also rapidly increasing. These cards have become a preferred payment method in places like Canada, where a recent survey found that more than one in three Canadians always or often use them.
Many businesses eager to accept their customers’ preferred form of payment have embraced NFC technology wholeheartedly.
In some of Africa’s larger economies, a similar trend is emerging.
In 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced new features for its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the eNaira, to enhance its service offerings and promote its use. One of these features was an upgrade to support NFC technology, the same used by popular platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments.
In addition, the digital currency now facilitates peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, enabling seamless transactions between users.
Near Field Communication technology has undoubtedly emerged as a transformative force, bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds through connectivity.
With just a tap of a card, the world is changing—and sooner rather than later, Zimbabwe will join this technological revolution. Things will never be the same again!