The outbreak of COVID 19 resulted in educational institutions adopting e-learning in order to continue with teaching and learning. Universities across the world saw e-learning as a solution as it supported social distancing which has been used to deter the spread of the deadly virus. Nevertheless, the adoption of e-learning in Zimbabwean universities has been affected by a number of challenges thereby affecting the academic performance of students. The study therefore sought to establish the effect of the adoption of e-learning on the academic performance of university students in Zimbabwe. The study took note of the benefits of e-learning, its challenges as well as mitigation of the challenges. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Purposive sampling was used and the research sample was made up of 40 university students and 10 lecturers. Thematic approach was used to analyse data. The study found out that despite lack of preparedness, students benefited through flexibility, convenience and continuity provided by e-learning during COVID 19. In addition, the main challenges of e-learning are related to accessibility hence the need for universities and the government at large to find ways of addressing this such as subsidized data bundles, gadgets and use of free internet hotspots.