Zimbabwean social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa aims to raise $50 million for African-led ventures

Zimbabwean social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa, wife of the country’s richest man Strive Masiyiwa, has launched RemitHope, a fintech-powered social enterprise aiming to raise $50 million to back 1,000 African-led organizations in 13 countries. The initiative is designed to channel diaspora remittances into practical community projects focused on education, health, livelihoods, emergency relief, and family welfare.

Building Africa’s solutions from within

RemitHope links underfunded local organizations with Africans both at home and abroad through a platform that verifies grassroots causes and guarantees secure, transparent giving. The reach of its work became clear in Zimbabwe when a fire tore through the Mount Selinda Children’s Home in Chipinge. Within three weeks, 1,033 donors across 10 countries contributed $40,519, an amount that was later doubled to $81,038 through partner support.

The quick response showed how diaspora contributions, when combined with institutional backing, can bring timely and tangible relief. It also underscored a broader truth: international aid alone cannot meet Africa’s needs, with more than $1.3 trillion required each year to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. By drawing on remittances, a lifeline for millions, RemitHope offers a way to close funding gaps while keeping accountability and impact at the center.

Expanding through technology and partnerships

RemitHope recently featured at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) Winter School & Investment Conference in the UK, where it engaged with diaspora communities and potential partners. The presentation reinforced the appetite for professional, transparent ways to support community-driven initiatives.

Founded by Tsitsi Masiyiwa, who also co-leads the Higherlife Foundation with her husband, telecoms entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa, RemitHope is rooted in a long tradition of philanthropy. Its mission is to use technology to make giving easier, more reliable, and more impactful, while strengthening the bond between African communities and their diaspora supporters.

Masiyiwa’s vision for African philanthropy

For Masiyiwa, RemitHope is a natural extension of her decades-long work in grassroots empowerment. Alongside the Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies, and through her service on global boards such as the END Fund and Co-Impact, she has consistently championed African-led solutions.

With RemitHope, she is reframing diaspora remittances—often used for immediate family needs—into a structured channel for sustainable community development. Her goal is to scale local initiatives, bridge persistent funding gaps, and build resilience across the continent.