eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) listed telecoms giant, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s founder and majority shareholder, Strive Masiyiwa, has retired from the board with effect from February 1, 2022.
The company secretary, Charles Banda, in a statement said Masiyiwa has served on the board of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited since the company’s creation in 1993 and its listing on the stock exchange in 1998.
He indicated that the company has developed to become one of Zimbabwe’s largest and most successful businesses, thanks to Masiyiwa’s vision, devotion, craftsmanship and tenacity.
“The Board and management take this opportunity to express their appreciation to Masiyiwa for his entrepreneurial leadership and his unwavering commitment to the company and for his philanthropy that has changed the lives of so many in Zimbabwe and across Africa,” said Banda.
He is said to be very committed to the company and treated it as the first child of sorts.
Given his other roles elsewhere Masiyiwa might now have a lot on his plate and it might be the reason why he is stepping down.
However, the Econet ship seems to be sailing along nicely, and the company has thrived even while he has been physically absent.
Masiyiwa was recently appointed to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s board of directors, supposedly now that he is a billionaire, he can devote his time and energy to that and other causes close to his heart.
It can be noted that because he is involved in other charity endeavors, his time will be wisely spent.
Masiyiwa is a co-founder of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, an initiative to help 400 million African smallholder farmers, with Kofi Annan, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He has been a board member of the Rockefeller Foundation for 15 years and is one of its longest-serving board members.
According to Econet’s website Masiyiwa became the Rockefeller Foundation ‘s second chairman after Kofi Annan and he has served as Chairman Emeritus since his retirement.
He was awarded the Norman Borlaug World Food Prize Medallion for his efforts.
Masiyiwa is a co-founder of the Carbon War Room and the B-Team alongside Richard Branson.
He is a member of the Global Business Coalition on Education, which he founded.
He formerly served as the chair of Canada’s Micronutrient Initiative.
