Every Sunday we share the story of someone who started with little, but ended up big. Today: Strive Masiyiwa, a man from Zimbabwe who built a technology company connecting millions of Africans with a small loan. His journey from a poor boy to one of Africa's richest entrepreneurs shows that with courage and smart ideas, you can change the world.
An easy start in Zimbabwe
Strive Masiyiwa was born Jan. 29, 1961, in Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, a country in southern Africa struggling with war and inequality. His family had little money; his parents were teachers and farmers who worked hard to make ends meet. As a child, Strive saw how people in his village struggled without telephones or electricity, something also familiar in Suriname's interior.
When he was 12, he moved with his family to Zambia, where he attended boarding school. He was smart, but had no luxuries. With a scholarship, he studied electrical engineering in Wales, England, and then worked in South Africa for a telephone company. In 1991, when Zimbabwe had just gained independence, he returned. He saw an opportunity: few people in Africa had telephones, whereas in Europe and America they were normal. He wanted to change that.
"If you want to make a difference, start where you are." - Strive Masiyiwa
The big leap: building a telecom empire
In 1994, Strive started his own company, Econet Wireless, to bring mobile telephony to Zimbabwe. But it wasn't easy. The government wouldn't give him a license because they controlled the phone market. Strive did not give up. He fought in court for five years, with little money and much opposition. Eventually he won, and in 1998 Econet launched its first network.
With a loan of $2.5 million, he built masts and brought cell phones to ordinary Zimbabweans. His business grew rapidly as people were able to make calls and send messages for the first time. Econet expanded to countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa through fiber optic cables and Internet services. Today, Econet Group is a giant in telecom and technology, with a market value of more than $3 Billion. It includes: 1. Telecom networks - Econet Wireless
2. Digital infrastructure - Cassava Technologies
3. Fintech & Mobiel Bankieren – EcoCash
4. Hernieuwbare energie & sociale impact.
5. Innovatie & AI-partnerschappen
Atlas AI (partnership since 2019)
Strive also became an investor in international trade. He bought shares in companies in Africa, Europe and Asia, and built fiber-optic networks that extend African data connections to major hubs in:
London, as a gateway to Europe
New York and Silicon Valley, for connection to global tech and financial markets
Singapore and Dubai, as links to Asia and the Middle East
France and Germany, for integration with European digital networks
New Zealand, as part of global backup structures and data exchange
Through these international links, Masiyiwa enables African data, businesses and consumers to be connected to the world. His infrastructure supports Internet access as well as cloud solutions and digital services that operate across borders. In this way, he strengthens Africa's position within the global digital economy.
Mindset : turning obstacles into opportunities
Strive's success came through his perseverance. When the government opposed him, he used the law to fight. When banks wouldn't lend him money, he convinced small investors. He learned from every setback, like when his first company almost went bankrupt. "Failure is a teacher," he said.
He also believed in Africa's strength. Instead of competing with Western companies, he focused on what Africans needed: affordable phones and Internet and financial services.
"You don't have to be rich to start, but you have to start to get rich."
Strive also gave back to his community. Through the Higherlife Foundation, which he founded with his wife Tsitsi, he gave millions in scholarships to poor students in Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa. He also supported farmers and small business owners.
What we learn from him
Never give up, even when the road is difficult.
Strive Masiyiwa started with little, but built an empire by studying and realizing his dream. What is your next step to build your dream, for yourself or your community?
