Econet founder to be honoured at 3rd Digital Awards in Kampala

One of Africa's leading technology entrepreneurs will be honoured in Kampala during the 3rd Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA2016).

Strive Masiyiwa, the executive chairman and founder of the Econet Group will receive "Africa's Digital Revolution Leadership Medal of Honor" at the Kampala Serena Hotel on August 18, 2016.

"Under Strive's leadership, Econet has grown into a conglomerate which is spearheading digital revolution across Africa and also pioneered financial inclusion with Ecocash which provides mobile financial services including savings and loans," noted Innocent Kawooya, chief executive of HiPipo, the convenors of the award.

Masiyiwa leads successful ventures such as Liquid Telecom Group, Africa's largest satellite and fibre optic business. Liquid Telecom provides data, supplying wholesale optical fiber, satellite and international carrier services to telecommunications operators across Africa.

In 2016, Strive announced that, Econet Wireless, was launching a new Pay-TV service called ‘Kwesé TV'  that will be built around Econet's core capabilities of satellite communications, fibre optic networks, and mobile services to deliver a new TV experience and value across Africa.

Strive, has additionally mentored hundreds of youth, business managers and entrepreneurs and is a great example of the efficient use of social media to share experience, motivate and mentor the African continent.

Having started his electrical engineering business in Zimbabwe with an equivalent of US$75, Strive later diversified into telecoms whose first huddle was the refusal to grant him a license to operate Econet Wireless at that time. This was followed with a long court battle which resulted in a ruling, which led to the removal of the state monopoly in telecommunication and is regarded as one of the key milestones in opening the African telecommunications sector to private capital.

"In light of his contributions to Africa's Digital Revolution, DIAA2016 jury found it noble to award and honor Strive Masiyiwa whose strategic leadership has been very instrumental to the digital progression Africa has witnessed over the last two decades," noted Kawooya.

The awards will run under the theme, "Maximizing the Digital Dividend" focused at bringing the debate to the transformative capacity of technology-based solutions. DIAA focus is on digital inclusion, financial inclusion and cybersecurity.  Nomination submission entries are open and will close by May 15th 2016.

Other categories to be awarded are Digital Inclusion Awards, Digital Financial Services Awards, "Best Cybersecurity Practice" Award and Digital Research.