Strive Masiyiwa
University of Wales · Econet Wireless
The Zimbabwean Student Who Fought His Government to Build a Telecom Empire
17 March 2026
Strive Masiyiwa studied electrical engineering at the University of Wales on a scholarship. After graduating, he returned to Zimbabwe and worked as a telecom engineer before starting his own business.
Five-Year Legal Battle
When Masiyiwa applied for a mobile phone licence in 1993, the Zimbabwean government refused — telecommunications was a state monopoly. He took the government to court and fought for five years, eventually winning in the Supreme Court.
Building Econet
Econet Wireless launched in 1998 and grew rapidly across Africa. Masiyiwa expanded into financial services (EcoCash became Zimbabwe's most widely used payment system) and broadband.
Africa's Telecom Pioneer
Masiyiwa became a billionaire and one of Africa's most respected entrepreneurs. He has invested heavily in education through his Higherlife Foundation, funding the education of over 250,000 orphans across Africa. His story shows that entrepreneurship sometimes requires fighting for the right to even start a business.
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