@founded: From $75 in savings to a $2.2 billion fortune. But Strive Masiyiwa nearly lost everything getting there. His mission was simple: bring mobile connectivity to millions across Africa. Zimbabwe’s government had other plans. Officials dismissed the future of mobile phones. His company faced restrictions. A $400,000 bribe demand tested his principles. He refused to pay. For five years, Masiyiwa battled the system in court while millions of dollars in infrastructure sat unused. Then, in 1998, Econet finally launched. What began as one man’s fight became a telecommunications empire spanning African markets. Masiyiwa later made history as the first Black billionaire on the Sunday Times Rich List. Sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes from refusing to back down.

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Tuesday 10 November 2026 23:42:37 GMT