Early Life
Strive Masiyiwa was born on January 29, 1961, in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). When he was seven, his family left the country and settled in Kitwe, Zambia. His mother was an entrepreneur. He completed his secondary education in Scotland.
Rise to Success
Masiyiwa's entrepreneurial journey began in 1988 when he founded Retrofit Engineering. However, his breakthrough came in the telecommunications sector. In 1993, he founded Econet Wireless, which faced significant opposition from the Zimbabwean government, leading to a five-year legal battle. Eventually, Econet obtained a license and launched in 1998, becoming Zimbabwe's first privately-owned mobile network. Econet expanded rapidly, becoming the largest telecom operator in the country.
Key Business Strategies
Masiyiwa's success stems from his visionary approach, innovative strategies, and persistent dedication. He focused on providing quality telecommunications services and expanding into mobile financial services. His company was an early adopter of 3G technology and built an extensive fiber optic network. Masiyiwa expanded his business interests, founding Cassava Technologies, which provides digital infrastructure and services across Africa.
Philanthropy
Strive Masiyiwa, along with his wife Tsitsi, founded the Higherlife Foundation, which has supported over 300,000 scholarships for African youth. They are signatories of the Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Their initiatives focus on education, health, and youth mentorship across Africa. They also support various health initiatives, including campaigns against HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.