Early Life
Strive Masiyiwa was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on January 29, 1961. When he was seven, his family moved to Zambia. At the age of 12, he was sent to school in Scotland. He returned to Zimbabwe in 1984 after studying electrical engineering at the University of Wales.
Rise to Success
Masiyiwa's career began in Zimbabwe, where he worked as an engineer. In 1990, he founded Econet Wireless, which became Zimbabwe's first privately owned mobile network, after a protracted legal battle. Econet expanded across Africa and beyond, becoming a major player in the telecommunications sector.
Key Business Strategies
Masiyiwa's key business strategies have focused on innovation, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and investing in network infrastructure. His vision was to bring connectivity to Africa, and he built Africa's largest independent fiber network. He has also embraced digital transformation and fintech through his Cassava Technologies. He is known for his vision and hard work.
Philanthropy
Strive Masiyiwa, along with his wife Tsitsi, founded the Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies, supporting over 350,000 scholarships for African youth. They are signatories of the Giving Pledge. He is involved in various health initiatives, including campaigns against HIV/AIDS. He also co-founded the Carbon War Room and served on the UN Global Commission for Adaptation.