Masiyiwa Sisters Strengthen Grip on Econet with New Board Appointment

Telecoms giant Econet Wireless has appointed Sarah Masiyiwa as an Alternate Director, placing her alongside her elder sister, Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa, on the company's board. The move signals a new chapter for the family's influence as their father, founder Strive Masiyiwa, pivots his focus to Artificial Intelligence.

Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa

A Strategic Board Move

Sarah Masiyiwa's appointment as an Alternate Director, effective October 1, 2025, solidifies the Masiyiwa family's presence on the Econet Wireless Zimbabwe board. She joins her sister, Elizabeth Tanya, who has been a full director since their father, Strive Masiyiwa, stepped down from the company in 2022.

The Power of Two: A New Generation of Leadership

Holding a B.A. in Economics and Journalism from New York University, Sarah brings a strong background in investment strategy and business development. Her experience includes managing a diverse portfolio of private and public investments and prior work in film development with major international media companies. Econet noted that her expertise will be pivotal in helping the company scale further.

Elizabeth Tanya has brought a wealth of experience to her role since 2022. With a background in banking, international finance, and social entrepreneurship, she has led initiatives in education and technology through platforms like Delta Philanthropies and Simba Education. Her expertise aligns perfectly with Econet's commitment to digital transformation and community development.

A graphic featuring portraits of Sarah and Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa with the Econet logo.

A Founder's New Focus: The Pivot to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The board appointments highlight Strive Masiyiwa's strategic withdrawal from day-to-day leadership at Econet to focus on the next frontier: Artificial Intelligence. He has announced a $720 million investment through his company, Cassava Technologies, to build five AI factories across Africa.

Masiyiwa's goal is to create a "Sovereign AI Cloud," allowing African countries to host and run their own AI systems locally, reducing dependency on foreign providers. The first factory, featuring powerful Nvidia hardware, is already under development in South Africa and has attracted significant interest from universities, researchers, and startups.

Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa

Frequently Asked Questions

Sarah Masiyiwa is the daughter of Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa. She was appointed as an Alternate Director to the Econet Wireless Zimbabwe board, effective October 1, 2025. She has a background in economics, journalism, and investment strategy.

With Sarah Masiyiwa's appointment, there are now two family members on the board. Her elder sister, Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa, has been a full director since 2022.

Strive Masiyiwa has strategically withdrawn from leadership roles at Econet to concentrate on Artificial Intelligence (AI). He is investing $720 million through Cassava Technologies to build five AI factories across Africa.


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