Zimbabwe’s top 10 tech moguls
Key Points
- Zimbabwe’s tech sector is evolving, with fintech, AI, and cloud computing driving growth beyond telecommunications, reshaping the country’s digital economy.
- Industry leaders like Strive Masiyiwa and William Sachiti are expanding Zimbabwe’s global tech footprint through mobile money, AI, and autonomous systems.
- Rising entrepreneurs, including James Manyika and Takunda Chingonzo, are driving digital inclusion, innovation, and investment in Zimbabwe’s tech ecosystem.
Zimbabwe’s technology sector isn’t just growing—it’s evolving with intent. The country has witnessed a remarkable shift over the last three decades, from the early days of mobile connectivity to the rise of fintech, artificial intelligence, and enterprise solutions. This transformation isn’t happening in isolation. It’s being led by a group of entrepreneurs and executives who are rewriting the rules of what’s possible in Zimbabwe’s digital economy.
The numbers paint a compelling picture. In 2017, Zimbabwe’s ICT sector was valued at $3.11 billion, with telecommunications dominating the space. But the industry is no longer just about mobile networks. By 2025, the country’s computing market alone is projected to generate $232.4 million in revenue, reflecting a broader expansion into data-driven services, AI, and cloud computing. Behind this momentum are business leaders who are not only building companies but also shaping the country’s tech infrastructure, fostering digital inclusion, and positioning Zimbabwe as a serious player in Africa’s innovation landscape.
At the heart of this transformation is Strive Masiyiwa, the billionaire founder of Econet Wireless, whose contributions to mobile connectivity and fintech have reshaped commerce across the continent. His longtime lieutenant, Douglas Mboweni, has steered Econet Wireless Zimbabwe through rapid subscriber growth, navigating regulatory shifts and market disruptions with precision. Meanwhile, serial entrepreneur Daniel Shumba has left his imprint on the telecom industry, having founded major firms like TeleAccess Zimbabwe.
A new generation is also stepping up. William Sachiti is advancing artificial intelligence with Kar-go, a robotics company breaking ground in autonomous delivery systems. James Manyika, a Senior Vice President at Google, is shaping global AI strategy and ethics, drawing from his deep experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and economic development. Their work goes beyond boardrooms and balance sheets. They are expanding digital access, developing new solutions, and proving that Zimbabwe’s tech ecosystem is more than a footnote in Africa’s innovation story—it’s a force to be reckoned with.
Billionaire.Africa has identified 10 influential figures driving this change—visionaries whose impact extends beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. These are the leaders defining the country’s digital future.
- Strive Masiyiwa
Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and executive chairman of Econet Global, is Zimbabwe’s wealthiest individual, with a net worth of $1.8 billion. His journey began in 1998 when he launched Econet Wireless Zimbabwe after a hard-fought legal battle to break government monopolies in the telecom sector. Today, Econet operates in over 20 African countries, and Masiyiwa holds a 38 percent stake in the publicly traded company and 33 percent in EcoCash, a leading mobile money platform. Beyond telecoms, he has ventured into fintech, satellite communications, and renewable energy. He has been a Netflix board member since 2020 and invests in power distribution companies across Africa. His philanthropic efforts are just as impressive—through the Higherlife Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Tsitsi, Masiyiwa supports education and social development in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burundi, and Lesotho.
- Ralph Mupita
Ralph Mupita, a Zimbabwean executive, leads MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom provider with over 289 million subscribers across 22 markets. Under his leadership, MTN has expanded its fintech, digital solutions, and enterprise services while navigating challenges in key markets like Nigeria. Mupita spearheaded the launch of MTN’s Joint Technology Innovation Lab in Johannesburg in partnership with Huawei. The state-of-the-art facility focuses on 5G, AI, and digital financial services, reinforcing MTN’s role in Africa’s digital transformation. With strategic investments in data and emerging technologies, Mupita continues to position MTN as a powerhouse in the continent’s telecom and tech landscape.
- Douglas Mboweni
Douglas Mboweni is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited. He joined the company in 1996 and ascended to the CEO position in March 2002. Under his leadership, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has grown its subscriber base from 200,000 in 2002 to over 14 million. Mboweni holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Zimbabwe, a Master’s in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa, and a Ph.D. in Business Leadership from the Zimbabwe Open University. Beyond his corporate role, Mboweni serves as a visiting Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg and actively participates in youth mentorship programs. His leadership has been recognized with several accolades, including the Institute of Directors Zimbabwe’s Director of the Year awards in 2005 and 2013.
- William Sachiti
Pasi William Sachiti is a pioneer in robotics and AI, known for developing technologies that transform trees into Wi-Fi hubs and creating autonomous systems that redefine mobility. As the founder of the Academy of Robotics, the UK’s first Black-owned driverless car company valued at $100 million, he is leading the development of Kar-go—Europe’s first street-legal self-driving delivery vehicle designed to tackle last-mile logistics. Born in Zimbabwe and now based in the UK, Sachiti is part of a new generation of African tech innovators making a global impact. His open-source initiative, Trees of Knowledge, helps expand educational access across Africa by turning trees into digital learning hubs for smartphones. By the age of 35, he had already built and successfully exited three companies. Now, with the Academy of Robotics at the forefront of AI and automation, he continues to push the boundaries of smart mobility, shaping the future of transportation.
- James Manyika
James Manyika has spent his career at the crossroads of technology, business, and policy. As Google’s Senior Vice President for Research, Technology & Society, he leads Google Research and Google Labs, driving the company’s work in AI, computing, and global innovation. Before joining Google, he chaired the McKinsey Global Institute, where he advised U.S. presidents and co-led national commissions on AI, innovation, and security. His influence extends beyond the tech industry—he serves on the boards of Airbnb, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Council on Foreign Relations. A Rhodes Scholar with a Ph.D. in AI and robotics from Oxford, Manyika remains a leading voice in shaping the future of technology and its impact on society.
- Tempter Paul Tungwarara
Tempter Paul Tungwarara, a Dubai-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur, has built a diverse business empire across construction, mining, logistics, and technology. As the founder and chairman of Prevail International Group, he oversees a network of companies, including Prevail Mining, Prevail Shipping, Paulo Construction, and Prevail Boreholes, which plays a key role in Zimbabwe’s Presidential Borehole Scheme. Beyond infrastructure and logistics, Tungwarara has expanded into technology with the launch of Talk and Pay, Zimbabwe’s first locally owned social media chat platform that integrates communication with financial services. His role as a Presidential Investment Advisor has further positioned him at the center of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and digital transformation efforts. In 2022, he partnered with Dubai billionaire Shaji Ul Mulk on a $500 million Cyber City project in Zimbabwe, reinforcing his influence on the country’s economic landscape. His contributions to investment and development were recognized at the 2024 Africa Investment Leaders Forum, where he received the Overall Top Investor in the Diaspora Award.
- Takunda Chingonzo
Takunda Chingonzo is the founder of Village Innovation Network and has dedicated his career to fostering startups and innovation in Africa. He co-founded Village Consult and Neolab Technology P/L, a company recognized for supporting entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Chingonzo also launched Sai Sai Wireless, an initiative aimed at providing free internet access in Zimbabwe. His contributions to technology and entrepreneurship have earned him recognition as a Mandela Washington Fellow and a spot on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list. He studied at the University of Warwick and currently serves on the board of AfriLabs.
- Shingi Mutasa
Shingi Mutasa is a Zimbabwean entrepreneur known for his impact on the country’s investment landscape. As the founder and CEO of Masawara Plc, a Zimbabwe-based investment holding company, he has played a key role in driving economic growth through strategic investments. His leadership has influenced multiple industries, inspiring a new generation of business leaders in Zimbabwe.
- Nigel Chanakira
Nigel Chanakira is widely recognized for his role in transforming Zimbabwe’s telecommunications industry. As the co-founder, former CEO, and chairman of Econet Wireless—Zimbabwe’s first mobile phone operator—he helped revolutionize communication in the country. His leadership has driven digital inclusion and continues to shape the region’s mobile technology sector.
- Takwana Tyaranini
Takwana Tyaranini, a Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur, is the co-founder of Senditoo, a platform that facilitates international airtime transfers. Raised in Kadoma’s Rimuka township, he initially worked as a mental health practitioner in the UK before venturing into entrepreneurship. In 2016, he teamed up with Guinean partner Ibrahima Soumano to launch Senditoo, allowing the African diaspora to send instant mobile top-ups to 140 countries, including 39 in Africa. Today, the company connects with over 400 mobile operators, reaching 4.5 billion prepaid users worldwide. Building on his success in financial technology, Tyaranini co-founded Jamboo, a UK-based digital banking platform tailored for the African diaspora. In 2024, Jamboo raised £331,875 (about $430,531) through crowdfunding, reinforcing its position in diaspora banking.
Crédito: Link de origem