Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Strive Masiyiwa: Connecting a continent

Telecoms magnate Strive Masiyiwa escaped kidnap to be Zimbabwe’s first billionaire. He fled post-colonial conflict before delivering phone and internet technology across Africa.

Telecoms magnate Strive Masiyiwa escaped kidnap to become Zimbabwe’s first billionaire.

BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng tell Masiyiwa’s story from a youth fleeing post-colonial conflict, through education in the UK, to enormous wealth delivering mobile phone and internet technology across Africa.

The podcast that tells tales of titans of technology, Wall Street moguls, pop stars, sporting legends, CEOs and entrepreneurs also details Masiyiwa’s many court battles and run-ins with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. Then Simon and Zing decide if Masiyiwa is good, bad, or just another billionaire.

Release date:

42 minutes

On radio

Thu 5 Jun 2025 09:32GMT

Featured

  • .

Broadcast

  • Thu 5 Jun 2025 09:32GMT

Podcast