Key Factors
- Zimbabwe’s tech sector is evolving, with fintech, AI, and cloud computing driving progress past telecommunications, reshaping the nation’s digital financial system.
- Business leaders like Try Masiyiwa and William Sachiti are increasing Zimbabwe’s international tech footprint by way of cell cash, AI, and autonomous techniques.
- Rising entrepreneurs, together with James Manyika and Takunda Chingonzo, are driving digital inclusion, innovation, and funding in Zimbabwe’s tech ecosystem.
Zimbabwe’s know-how sector isn’t simply rising—it’s evolving with intent. The nation has witnessed a outstanding shift during the last three a long time, from the early days of cell connectivity to the rise of fintech, synthetic intelligence, and enterprise options. This transformation isn’t occurring in isolation. It’s being led by a gaggle of entrepreneurs and executives who’re rewriting the principles of what’s doable in Zimbabwe’s digital financial system.
The numbers paint a compelling image. In 2017, Zimbabwe’s ICT sector was valued at $3.11 billion, with telecommunications dominating the area. However the business is not nearly cell networks. By 2025, the nation’s computing market alone is projected to generate $232.4 million in income, reflecting a broader enlargement into data-driven providers, AI, and cloud computing. Behind this momentum are enterprise leaders who will not be solely constructing corporations but additionally shaping the nation’s tech infrastructure, fostering digital inclusion, and positioning Zimbabwe as a critical participant in Africa’s innovation panorama.
On the coronary heart of this transformation is Try Masiyiwa, the billionaire founding father of Econet Wi-fi, whose contributions to cell connectivity and fintech have reshaped commerce throughout the continent. His longtime lieutenant, Douglas Mboweni, has steered Econet Wi-fi Zimbabwe by way of speedy subscriber progress, navigating regulatory shifts and market disruptions with precision. In the meantime, serial entrepreneur Daniel Shumba has left his imprint on the telecom business, having based main companies like TeleAccess Zimbabwe.
A brand new era can be stepping up. William Sachiti is advancing synthetic intelligence with Kar-go, a robotics firm breaking floor in autonomous supply techniques. James Manyika, a Senior Vice President at Google, is shaping international AI technique and ethics, drawing from his deep expertise on the intersection of know-how, coverage, and financial improvement. Their work goes past boardrooms and stability sheets. They’re increasing digital entry, growing new options, and proving that Zimbabwe’s tech ecosystem is greater than a footnote in Africa’s innovation story—it’s a drive to be reckoned with.
Billionaire.Africa has recognized 10 influential figures driving this modification—visionaries whose influence extends past Zimbabwe’s borders. These are the leaders defining the nation’s digital future.
- Try Masiyiwa
Try Masiyiwa, the founder and govt chairman of Econet International, is Zimbabwe’s wealthiest particular person, with a net worth of $1.8 billion. His journey started in 1998 when he launched Econet Wi-fi Zimbabwe after a hard-fought authorized battle to interrupt authorities monopolies within the telecom sector. At present, Econet operates in over 20 African nations, and Masiyiwa holds a 38 % stake within the publicly traded firm and 33 % in EcoCash, a number one cell cash platform. Past telecoms, he has ventured into fintech, satellite tv for pc communications, and renewable power. He has been a Netflix board member since 2020 and invests in energy distribution corporations throughout Africa. His philanthropic efforts are simply as spectacular—by way of the Higherlife Basis, which he co-founded together with his spouse, Tsitsi, Masiyiwa helps schooling and social improvement in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burundi, and Lesotho.
- Ralph Mupita
Ralph Mupita, a Zimbabwean govt, leads MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom supplier with over 289 million subscribers throughout 22 markets. Beneath his management, MTN has expanded its fintech, digital options, and enterprise providers whereas navigating challenges in key markets like Nigeria. Mupita spearheaded the launch of MTN’s Joint Expertise Innovation Lab in Johannesburg in partnership with Huawei. The state-of-the-art facility focuses on 5G, AI, and digital monetary providers, reinforcing MTN’s position in Africa’s digital transformation. With strategic investments in knowledge and rising applied sciences, Mupita continues to place MTN as a powerhouse within the continent’s telecom and tech panorama.
- Douglas Mboweni
Douglas Mboweni is the Chief Government Officer (CEO) of Econet Wi-fi Zimbabwe Restricted. He joined the corporate in 1996 and ascended to the CEO place in March 2002. Beneath his management, Econet Wi-fi Zimbabwe has grown its subscriber base from 200,000 in 2002 to over 14 million. Mboweni holds a Bachelor of Science in Arithmetic and Laptop Science from the College of Zimbabwe, a Grasp’s in Enterprise Management from the College of South Africa, and a Ph.D. in Enterprise Management from the Zimbabwe Open College. Past his company position, Mboweni serves as a visiting Professor of Follow on the College of Johannesburg and actively participates in youth mentorship packages. His management has been acknowledged with a number of accolades, together with the Institute of Administrators Zimbabwe’s Director of the 12 months awards in 2005 and 2013.
- William Sachiti
Pasi William Sachiti is a pioneer in robotics and AI, recognized for growing applied sciences that remodel bushes into Wi-Fi hubs and creating autonomous techniques that redefine mobility. Because the founding father of the Academy of Robotics, the UK’s first Black-owned driverless automobile firm valued at $100 million, he’s main the event of Kar-go—Europe’s first street-legal self-driving supply automobile designed to deal with last-mile logistics. Born in Zimbabwe and now primarily based within the UK, Sachiti is a part of a brand new era of African tech innovators making a worldwide influence. His open-source initiative, Bushes of Information, helps develop academic entry throughout Africa by turning bushes into digital studying hubs for smartphones. By the age of 35, he had already constructed and efficiently exited three corporations. Now, with the Academy of Robotics on the forefront of AI and automation, he continues to push the boundaries of good mobility, shaping the way forward for transportation.
- James Manyika
James Manyika has spent his profession on the crossroads of know-how, enterprise, and coverage. As Google’s Senior Vice President for Analysis, Expertise & Society, he leads Google Analysis and Google Labs, driving the corporate’s work in AI, computing, and international innovation. Earlier than becoming a member of Google, he chaired the McKinsey International Institute, the place he suggested U.S. presidents and co-led nationwide commissions on AI, innovation, and safety. His affect extends past the tech business—he serves on the boards of Airbnb, the MacArthur Basis, and the Council on Overseas Relations. A Rhodes Scholar with a Ph.D. in AI and robotics from Oxford, Manyika stays a number one voice in shaping the way forward for know-how and its influence on society.
- Tempter Paul Tungwarara
Tempter Paul Tungwarara, a Dubai-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur, has constructed a various enterprise empire throughout building, mining, logistics, and know-how. Because the founder and chairman of Prevail Worldwide Group, he oversees a community of corporations, together with Prevail Mining, Prevail Transport, Paulo Development, and Prevail Boreholes, which performs a key position in Zimbabwe’s Presidential Borehole Scheme. Past infrastructure and logistics, Tungwarara has expanded into know-how with the launch of Speak and Pay, Zimbabwe’s first regionally owned social media chat platform that integrates communication with monetary providers. His position as a Presidential Funding Advisor has additional positioned him on the middle of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and digital transformation efforts. In 2022, he partnered with Dubai billionaire Shaji Ul Mulk on a $500 million Cyber Metropolis challenge in Zimbabwe, reinforcing his affect on the nation’s financial panorama. His contributions to funding and improvement have been acknowledged on the 2024 Africa Funding Leaders Discussion board, the place he obtained the Total High Investor within the Diaspora Award.
- Takunda Chingonzo
Takunda Chingonzo is the founding father of Village Innovation Community and has devoted his profession to fostering startups and innovation in Africa. He co-founded Village Seek the advice of and Neolab Expertise P/L, an organization acknowledged for supporting entrepreneurs and rising companies. Chingonzo additionally launched Sai Sai Wi-fi, an initiative aimed toward offering free web entry in Zimbabwe. His contributions to know-how and entrepreneurship have earned him recognition as a Mandela Washington Fellow and a spot on Forbes Africa’s 30 Beneath 30 checklist. He studied on the College of Warwick and at the moment serves on the board of AfriLabs.
- Shingi Mutasa
Shingi Mutasa is a Zimbabwean entrepreneur recognized for his influence on the nation’s funding panorama. Because the founder and CEO of Masawara Plc, a Zimbabwe-based funding holding firm, he has performed a key position in driving financial progress by way of strategic investments. His management has influenced a number of industries, inspiring a brand new era of enterprise leaders in Zimbabwe.
- Nigel Chanakira
Nigel Chanakira is widely known for his position in remodeling Zimbabwe’s telecommunications business. Because the co-founder, former CEO, and chairman of Econet Wi-fi—Zimbabwe’s first cell phone operator—he helped revolutionize communication within the nation. His management has pushed digital inclusion and continues to form the area’s cell know-how sector.
- Takwana Tyaranini
Takwana Tyaranini, a Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur, is the co-founder of Senditoo, a platform that facilitates worldwide airtime transfers. Raised in Kadoma’s Rimuka township, he initially labored as a psychological well being practitioner within the UK earlier than venturing into entrepreneurship. In 2016, he teamed up with Guinean associate Ibrahima Soumano to launch Senditoo, permitting the African diaspora to ship immediate cell top-ups to 140 nations, together with 39 in Africa. At present, the corporate connects with over 400 cell operators, reaching 4.5 billion pay as you go customers worldwide. Constructing on his success in monetary know-how, Tyaranini co-founded Jamboo, a UK-based digital banking platform tailor-made for the African diaspora. In 2024, Jamboo raised £331,875 (about $430,531) by way of crowdfunding, reinforcing its place in diaspora banking.
