Strive Masiyiwa is not just a businessman—he is an architect of Africa’s digital transformation. From battling an oppressive regime in court for five years to building a billion-dollar telecom empire, his journey is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the belief that technology can rewrite Africa’s economic destiny.
When Masiyiwa founded Econet Wireless in the mid-1990s, the idea of affordable mobile communication in Africa was seen as unrealistic. At the time, mobile phones were a luxury for the elite, and telecom infrastructure barely reached beyond major cities. But Masiyiwa saw what others didn’t: the future wasn’t in copper landlines—it was in the airwaves. He famously said, “In the 21st century, connectivity will be as important as roads.”
Econet’s rise was anything but smooth. In Zimbabwe, Masiyiwa’s license application was rejected by the government, sparking a legal battle that lasted five years and went all the way to the Supreme Court. He won—not just the right to operate, but also a symbolic victory for entrepreneurship against political gatekeeping. This fight cemented his reputation as a leader unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Today, Econet operates in over 20 countries, with interests spanning mobile banking (EcoCash), satellite services, renewable energy, and e-learning. Masiyiwa’s vision has extended beyond telecom, with investments in Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Africa’s largest independent fiber network, which has laid over 110,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables—the digital highways enabling Africa’s internet boom.
But Masiyiwa’s impact isn’t measured only in market share. Through the Higherlife Foundation, he and his wife, Tsitsi, have provided scholarships to over 250,000 young Africans, supporting future leaders in education, technology, and entrepreneurship. He has also been a strong voice in shaping Africa’s COVID-19 response, serving on global advisory boards.
Strive Masiyiwa embodies the new African business leader: not just profit-driven, but purpose-driven. His story is proof that infrastructure is not only about bricks and steel—it’s about the invisible networks that connect people, ideas, and opportunities. And for millions across the continent, those connections began with one man’s refusal to take “no” for an answer.