Strive Masiyiwa
Strive Masiyiwa is a business leader and entrepreneur whose work has improved the lives of millions of people all over the world. Coming from humble beginnings in the small Zimbabwean town of Murewa, he has gone on to found and develop one of the most successful and influential African companies, Econet Wireless. As the Founder and Executive Chairman of the company, Masiyiwa has forever changed what it means to do business in Africa, and his successful career has been recognized internationally.
Early Life and Career of Strive Masiyiwa
Strive Masiyiwa was born in 1961 in Murewa, Zimbabwe, which is the same small town that his father was born in. His mother was born in Umtali and worked as a nurse while his father worked as a school teacher and principal. After high school, Masiyiwa won a scholarship to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Wales and would later pursue his Masters degree in the same field at the University of Glasgow.
Upon his return to Zimbabwe, Masiyiwa joined a Malaysian-owned engineering firm based in Zimbabwe and a year later, in 1988, Masiyiwa founded solar energy company called Energy Group. This firm grew and diversified and two years later, in 1990, Masiyiwa founded Econet Wireless. This was Zimbabwe’s first mobile network.
Friends of Masiyiwa, who had made good after college and were aware of the telecommunications industry, saw the potential of the mobile network industry in Africa and suggested Masiyiwa establish a mobile network. It was the first mobile network to be launched in Africa, though Masiyiwa faced numerous struggles and opposition. He spent five years in court fighting the government and eventually won each case, eventually leading to an independent telecommunications company in Zimbabwe.
The Success of Econet Wireless
After winning each of these court cases, Masiyiwa and Econet Wireless pioneered a mobile financial services platform in Zimbabwe called EcoCash. EcoCash is a revolutionary payment system that allows users to make payments in Zimbabwe with a few taps on their mobile phone. This has become very popular in Zimbabwe and EcoCash was the first African business to receive an ISO 27001 certification; this is an international certification for the management of data security.
Econet Wireless acquired a majority stake in Botswana-based Mascom Wireless back in 2009 and this has allowed them to become the most extensive network in the SADC region, covering seven countries and being utilized by over 10 million people. Strive Masiyiwa’s work has been praised internationally and he was invited to deliver the Nelson Mandela Lecture in 2012.
In 2005 Strive Masiyiwa was selected to be a founding member of Conflict Resolution Network founded by Nelson Mandela and five others. He was also chosen to be the Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and during 2020, he was named one of the TIME 100 Most Influential People.
Philanthropic Work of Strive Masiyiwa
Strive Masiyiwa’s philanthropic goals are rooted in wanting a better life for all Africans. He wanted to reduce the number of deaths of African children through lack of access to pharmaceuticals and health services. To accomplish this, Masiyiwa and his wife, Tsitsi, founded the Higherlife Foundation to ensure that all African children have the same level of opportunities.
The scholarship program of Higherlife has educated over 45,000 students, and Masiyiwa has also used part of his time to raise millions of dollars for children’s causes by appearing on television programs like the US-based Oprah Winfrey Show.
Promotion of Women’s Empowerment
Strive Masiyiwa wants the world to recognize the contributions, skills, and entrepreneurship of African women. He promotes his goals to help advance African women’s progress by serving as the Chairman of the Africa Advisory Council of Vital Voices, a nonprofit organization that focuses on leadership development and the economic empowerment of women. He was also instrumental in helping establish UNiTE, a global campaign that aims to end violence against women and girls.
Masiyiwa also serves as an Global Ambassador for the global advance of girls’ education; this program is funded by the UK’s Department for International Development and aims to ensure that 11 million girls in developing countries receive a 12-year quality education.
Advice From Strive Masiyiwa on Leadership and Business
Strive Masiyiwa does not just have a successful business, he is also a sought-after motivational speaker, author and Leadership expert. He has done television shows, written books and featured in various reputable magazines talking about his leadership principles and personal story.
The core principles of Masiyiwa’s leadership style include:
● Have a vision – Masiyiwa stresses the importance of having a clear vision when running a business, no matter how big or small.
● Believe in yourself – Strive Masiyiwa encourages people to believe in themselves and stay true to their own beliefs.
● Know your market – Masiyiwa has always emphasized the need to understand the market and make sure you reach out to the right people.
● Invest in people – Masiyiwa believes that the most valuable asset is people, and investing in them is essential for any successful business.
● Be resilient – Masiyiwa consistently talks about the importance of being resilient and not giving up, no matter the obstacles.
Strive Masiyiwa is a business leader and entrepreneur who has changed what it means to do business in Africa. He has created one of the most successful companies in Africa, Econet Wireless, and his work has earned him global recognition. Moreover, his philanthropic work and his emphasis on empowering African women has improved the lives of millions. He is a motivator and an author, offering advice based on his own successes and trials. These principles of leadership, as well as his own story, offer inspiration to any aspiring businessperson or leader.
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