Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa’s net worth falls $100 million to $1.2 billion

Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, has seen his fortune slip by $100 million, following a revaluation of his public holdings in Harare-listed companies. His net worth, which hit $1.3 billion in August, now stands at about $1.2 billion, according to U.S. business magazine Forbes.

Strive Masiyiwa loses $600 million year-to-date

Masiyiwa, the founder of Econet Wireless, built the company from scratch in 1998 into one of Africa’s leading telecom firms, with operations in more than 20 countries. Over the past two months, his wealth has been affected by market corrections tied to Zimbabwe’s economy.

The decline extends his total wealth loss this year to $600 million. The slide follows the Zimbabwean government’s decision in May to replace the local currency with a new gold-backed unit known as the ZiG. The reform aimed to stabilize inflation but has instead unsettled markets and squeezed corporate valuations across several sectors.

Masiyiwa’s stakes rase after August gains

The Zimbabwean billionaire holds significant stakes in two major companies listed—a 38 percent interest in Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and 33 percent in TN CyberTech Investments Holdings Limited, formerly known as EcoCash Holdings. Both stocks showed mild gains in August before profit-taking among investors triggered renewed selling pressure.

Despite the recent market drag, Masiyiwa’s business footprint across Africa remains strong. Through Liquid Intelligent Technologies, his broadband and cloud services firm, he continues to expand digital connectivity from Cape Town to Cairo. The company has become a backbone provider for internet and data infrastructure across multiple African markets.

Masiyiwa, NVIDIA build Africa’s AI factory

Masiyiwa’s diversification beyond telecoms also signals his long-term strategy. Through Cassava Technologies, he is building Africa’s first artificial intelligence (AI) factory in partnership with U.S. chipmaker NVIDIA. The facility is expected to help governments, researchers, and private firms access advanced computing capacity while keeping data securely on the continent.

For Masiyiwa, the recent drop shows how hard it is to do business in emerging markets. His savvy moves reflect his resilience and long-term focus as he guides the telecom industry’s transformation and shapes Africa's digital future.