Table of Contents
Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe’s wealthiest individual and an enterprising visionary based in London, is one of the top players in Africa’s mobile telecom industry. He’s the driving force behind Econet Global, a trailblazing digital services provider in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With an enduring legacy spanning two decades, Masiyiwa has redefined telecommunications in Africa. Under his leadership, Econet Group has diversified remarkably, making significant strides across diverse African sectors. Headquartered in London, he founded Cassava Technologies, a tech behemoth integral to Africa’s digital landscape.
Masiyiwa’s journey is characterized by innovation and collaboration, yielding notable impacts in education, healthcare, and disaster relief. Beyond commerce, his philanthropic zeal shines through the Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies. Masiyiwa and his wife Tsitsi have awarded scholarships to over 250,000 African youth, enabling quality education and global contributions.
Besides building a billion-dollar empire and overseeing conglomerate operations, Masiyiwa holds advisory roles in eminent organizations like Unilever Plc, Netflix Inc., and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
As he shapes the tech sector and empowers communities, Masiyiwa ranks as Zimbabwe’s wealthiest and one of the world’s Black billionaires, with a net worth of $1.8 billion. His fortune primarily stems from Econet Group, which thrives under his guidance.
Billionaires.Africa has cataloged companies tied to Masiyiwa.
Here are seven firms under his direct or indirect ownership:
Econet is a technology focused Group with an entrepreneurial spirit. The group which is owned by Masiyiwa operates as a diversified telecommunications conglomerate with operations and investments in Africa, Europe, South America and the East Asia Pacific Rim, offering products and services in the core areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, broadband, satellite, optical fiber networks and mobile payment. Today it operates in 23 African markets through two strategic business units which cover mobile telephony through Econet Wireless, digital technology and platforms, Cassava Technologies and its corporate social enterprises Delta Philanthropies and Higherlife Foundation.
At the heart of Sub Saharan Africa’s telecom landscape, Econet Wireless Group, a subsidiary of Econet Global, takes the lead. With a strong presence in Botswana, Burundi, Lesotho, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, it’s a driving force in mobile and fixed wireless telephony, public payphones, internet access, and payment solutions. As a privately held Mobile Network Operator (MNO), Econet Wireless Group epitomizes connectivity and convenience across the continent.
Strive Masiyiwa’s influence shines through a significant 52.85-percent stake in Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited. As the country’s premier telecommunications provider, it boasts an impressive customer base exceeding 16 million. A visionary in innovation, product development, and service excellence, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited has woven an extensive distribution network over 25 years. This achievement not only spurs economic growth but also empowers thousands of Zimbabweans and contributes to the nation’s finances through taxation and levies.
EcoCash Holdings, formerly known as Cassava Smartech, spearheads smart technology advancement under Masiyiwa’s watchful eye. With a mission to foster shared economies, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment, the company makes strides through its digital and financial technologies. Masiyiwa’s ownership of 30.26 percent, via Econet Global Limited, underscores its transformative potential in Africa and beyond.
Cassava Technologies redefines connectivity as the bedrock of Africa’s premier open-access cross-border fiber broadband network. Extending more than 110,000 kilometers, this network supports digital solutions in healthcare, education, insurance, e-commerce, finance, and social payments. Masiyiwa’s vision drives this interconnected data revolution, impacting over 15 African countries.
Encompassed within the Cassava Technologies umbrella, Liquid Intelligent Technologies emerges as a holistic technology solutions provider. This entity customizes digital solutions by catering to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across Africa. It also pioneers cloud and cyber security innovations through strategic global collaborations.
At the forefront of Africa’s interconnected data infrastructure, Africa Data Centers is the continent’s largest network of carrier- and cloud-neutral data center facilities. Fueled by international expertise, the organization facilitates rapid and secure data services, cementing its role as a trusted partner for business-critical operations across Africa. Proudly African, Africa Data Centers embodies the heartbeat of businesses’ digital aspirations.
