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Billionaire Profile
Strive Masiyiwa
Global Rank
#1949

Image: Richter Frank-Jurgen | CC BY-SA 2.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Strive Masiyiwa

CEO, Telecom
London, United Kingdom
Real-Time Net Worth
$2.14B
Estimated based on Telecom stock value as of September 10, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
65
Source
Telecom
Industry
Telecom
Citizenship
Zimbabwe

Biography

Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean-born billionaire businessman and philanthropist, is the founder and executive chairman of Econet Global and Cassava Technologies. His estimated net worth is $2.2 billion as of March 2026. His wealth source is primarily Telecom. Masiyiwa's career began with an electrical contracting business before he pioneered mobile telecommunications in Zimbabwe, founding Econet Wireless in 1993. He overcame significant regulatory hurdles to launch the company, which has since expanded globally. Beyond business, he and his wife Tsitsi are dedicated philanthropists, supporting education and various social impact initiatives across Africa through their Higherlife Foundation.

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Data Updated
Sep 10, 2026
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Wealth Over Time

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$2.14B
2025$2.10B
2024$2.10B

Portfolio Holdings

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe

ECO.ZW•telecom
Ownership
38%
Market Cap
$27.4B
Stock Price
$10.56
Revenue
$25.9B
Harare, Zimbabwe
1,108 employees
Founded 1998

In-Depth Profile

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.

Career Milestones

1988

Founded Retrofit Engineering

Founded an electrical contracting business in Zimbabwe.

1993

Founded Econet Wireless

Founded the mobile phone company Econet Wireless in Zimbabwe.

1998

Launched Econet Wireless Zimbabwe

Launched Econet Wireless in Zimbabwe after a protracted legal battle.

2018

Became Zimbabwe's First Billionaire

Recognized as Zimbabwe's first billionaire by Forbes.

2019

World Food Prize Borlaug Medallion

Awarded the World Food Prize Borlaug Medallion.

2024

W.E.B. Du Bois Medal

Awarded the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal by Harvard University.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Higherlife Foundation

$XB

Supports education for orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa.

Various

Delta Philanthropies

$XB

Focuses on education, health, women and children, youth mentorship, rural transformation, sustainable livelihoods, disaster relief and preparedness.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"“Integrity is better capital than money.”"

"“If we tackle corruption, no child would sleep hungry, there would be no injustice, every child would be in school.”"

"“Whether you're a farmer, builder or engineer, the opportunities are equal: Just add a little innovation.”"

Leadership Principles

Integrity

Emphasizes the importance of honesty and ethical conduct in business.

Innovation

Encourages continuous improvement and the application of new ideas.

Focus on People

Highlights that a successful business is built by people and processes.

Billionaires Connected to Strive Masiyiwa

Peers in Telecom

All Telecom billionaires →

Adjacent Global Ranks

Full global ranking →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Strive Masiyiwa's net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Strive Masiyiwa's estimated net worth is $2.143 billion, ranking #1949 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.
How did Strive Masiyiwa make their money?
Strive Masiyiwa's wealth primarily comes from Telecom, most notably through Telecom.
Where is Strive Masiyiwa from?
Strive Masiyiwa is from Zimbabwe.
How old is Strive Masiyiwa?
Strive Masiyiwa is 65 years old.

Sources & References

Citations for this profile have not been published yet. Net worth figures here are estimates and should not be treated as verified. See our methodology for how these estimates are produced, or report a correction.