Understanding the immense fortune and diverse portfolio of Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, can be quite an intriguing journey. Masiyiwa’s ascension to this coveted title can largely be attributed to the significant increase in shares of his telecom company, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, and his tech entity, Cassava Smartech. As reported by Billionaires.Africa, Masiyiwa’s net worth soared from $2.7 billion to a staggering $4.4 billion this year.
At the age of 61, Masiyiwa recently stepped down from his role as chairman and director of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited, yet he continues to hold a commanding stake of more than 50% in the company. The businessman listed this company on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange back in 1998. Let’s dive deeper into the intriguing wealth of Strive Masiyiwa, the richest man in Zimbabwe.
Impressive Real Estate Portfolio
Masiyiwa owns an array of million-dollar properties across the globe. This includes two adjacent apartments in New York’s 29-story Eldorado Towers, purchased for $24.5 million, once home to celebrities like Michael J. Fox, Moby, and Alec Baldwin. Furthermore, Masiyiwa is the proud owner of a £24 million mansion with 24 rooms, including nine ensuite bathrooms, as reported by the Daily Mail.
A Private Jet for Personal Travel
Travel for the richest man in Zimbabwe is far from ordinary. Masiyiwa is the owner of a limited edition Bombardier Challenger 850 private jet, worth an impressive $35 million. With the capacity to host nineteen people, the jet comes equipped with a kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms.
An Exquisite Library Collection
Masiyiwa is a known bibliophile with a library collection in his London mansion worth over $40,000. He considers the Bible as his favourite book and spends most of his time reading business management texts. Masiyiwa believes that the Bible, when read with an intention to derive business principles, can offer essential insights for setting up and managing a business.
Additional Luxury Properties
Residing in the UK, Masiyiwa owns several luxurious houses in different countries. This includes a London-based property worth $6 million and a detached £2.5 million mansion on an exclusive private estate in Surrey.
Record-Breaking Wealth
In 2021, Masiyiwa etched his name in history by becoming the first black British billionaire to make it to the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated net worth of £1.087 billion. He was ranked 159th on the list of wealthiest people or families resident in the United Kingdom.
Influential Business Ventures
Masiyiwa’s resilience saw him overcome intense government opposition to launch mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his home country in 1998. He owns just over 50% of this publicly-traded entity, which is part of his larger Econet Group. Moreover, Masiyiwa owns over half of the private company Liquid Telecom, providing fiber optic and satellite services to telecom firms across Africa.
His business ventures extend to mobile phone networks in Burundi and Lesotho, as well as investments in fintech and power distribution firms across Africa.
Philanthropic Efforts
In collaboration with his wife, Tsitsi, Masiyiwa established the Higherlife Foundation. The foundation supports orphaned and poor children in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burundi, and Lesotho.
Strive Masiyiwa, the richest man in Zimbabwe, embodies the essence of entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and philanthropy. His fascinating journey and accomplishments continue to inspire many around the world.
Image Credit: Drew Angerer/Bloomberg
