Strive Masiyiwa
Born in 1961 in Zimbabwe, Strive Masiyiwa spent part of his childhood in Zambia after his family left Rhodesia during the liberation struggle. He later studied electrical engineering at the University of Wales in the UK. Returning to Zimbabwe after independence, he worked as an engineer before launching his own telecommunications venture.
In the early 1990s, Masiyiwa sought a licence to provide mobile telecommunications services in Zimbabwe. The government refused him, leading to a five-year legal battle which he ultimately won in the Supreme Court. This landmark decision opened the telecoms market. He founded Econet Wireless, which grew into a major pan-African telecommunications group.
He has invested heavily in education and mentorship initiatives across Africa, supporting young entrepreneurs and scholars.
• His parents, who prioritised education
• Legal mentors during his court battle
• His wife, Tsitsi Masiyiwa
• Christian faith leaders and community networks
Leadership Shaping Themes
Resilience through opposition
Enterprise building in constrained systems
Mentorship and generational investment
- Who stood with Masiyiwa during prolonged opposition?
- How did partnership shape his long-term leadership journey?
- What relationships enabled expansion across Africa?
- How has he used influence to elevate others?