African Giant of the week :Strive Masiyiwa

Strive Masiyiwa’s story is one of grit and vision. Born in 1961 in what was then Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), he earned an electrical‑engineering degree at the University of Wales. After a brief stint with the state‑run telecom, he saved just $75, quit, and founded Econet Wireless in 1993. When the government tried to block him, he took the case all the way to Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court; a five‑year battle that broke the state monopoly and opened the telecom sector to private players.

That victory was just the start. Econet grew into a pan‑African powerhouse, later becoming Econet Global, and his portfolio now spans Airtel Nigeria, Cassava Fintech, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and more. By 2025 he’s recognised as Zimbabwe’s richest man and a billionaire with a net worth of about $2.7 billion.

Beyond business, Strive is a relentless philanthropist. Through the Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies he’s funded scholarships for hundreds of thousands of African children, supported public‑health initiatives, and helped launch programs like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. He’s also a committed Christian and family man, often crediting his values and his wife Tsitsi for grounding him.

In short, his blend of technical expertise, daring entrepreneurship, legal tenacity, and heart‑felt giving makes him a true African Giant; a role model who shows how resilience can turn a modest start into continent‑wide impact.