About Us

As a company that is firmly rooted in Africa, Cassava Technologies envisions a digitally connected future for every African. We are on a mission to use technology to transform the lives of individuals and businesses across the continent by enabling social mobility and economic prosperity. Our integrated ecosystem of digital solutions will dramatically increase access to digital tools and connectivity.

OUR VISION

Our vision is of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind.

OUR PURPOSE

We provide technology solutions that transform the lives of consumers and enable enterprises to better serve their customers.

Our guiding principle is Stewardship

We are faithful stewards of the trust of our clients and the communities in which we serve.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Strive Masiyiwa

Founder & Executive Chairman

Strive Masiyiwa is a telecommunications and technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. In his nearly four decades as an entrepreneur, he has started and invested in businesses throughout the world including Africa, the European Union, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA.

Some of his most prominent start-up companies and investments include: Mascom Wireless Botswana, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria), Liquid Intelligent Technologies Group, Econet Wireless New Zealand (now 3 Degrees Mobile), Trilogy Capital Partners Canada (early investor), Cassava Technologies, Africa Data Centres, Sasai Fintech, and Telrad Group Israel. He continues to invest privately through his investment companies, and family office.

Born in Zimbabwe and now living in London, Strive currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Unilever PLC and Netflix Inc. and on the not-for-profit board of trustees of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and National Geographic Society. He sits on the Global Advisory Boards of Bank of America, Bloomberg New Economy Forum, and Stanford University, amongst many others. He was one of the longest serving members on the Board of Trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation, amongst many pan-African and international initiatives he co-founded or led.

Amongst Strive’s honors and awards include election in 2023 as an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2014, 2017 and 2021, he was named on Fortune Magazine’s list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.

His family foundations, Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies, have supported over 300,000 scholarships to African children, public health, girls empowerment, youth mentorship, rural transformation, and other critical social impact initiatives in Africa. The foundations are managed by his co-founder wife, Tsitsi, and their oldest daughter, Elizabeth.

Strive graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Cardiff. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Yale University, Nelson Mandela University, Morehouse College, and Cardiff University. He and his wife have six adult children and are committed Christians.

Strive Masiyiwa

Founder & Executive Chairman

Strive Masiyiwa is a telecommunications and technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. In his nearly four decades as an entrepreneur, he has started and invested in businesses throughout the world including Africa, the European Union, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA.

Some of his most prominent start-up companies and investments include: Mascom Wireless Botswana, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria), Liquid Intelligent Technologies Group, Econet Wireless New Zealand (now 3 Degrees Mobile), Trilogy Capital Partners Canada (early investor), Cassava Technologies, Africa Data Centres, Sasai Fintech, and Telrad Group Israel. He continues to invest privately through his investment companies, and family office.

Born in Zimbabwe and now living in London, Strive currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Unilever PLC and Netflix Inc. and on the not-for-profit board of trustees of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and National Geographic Society. He sits on the Global Advisory Boards of Bank of America, Bloomberg New Economy Forum, and Stanford University, amongst many others. He was one of the longest serving members on the Board of Trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation, amongst many pan-African and international initiatives he co-founded or led.

Amongst Strive’s honors and awards include election in 2023 as an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2014, 2017 and 2021, he was named on Fortune Magazine’s list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.

His family foundations, Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies, have supported over 300,000 scholarships to African children, public health, girls empowerment, youth mentorship, rural transformation, and other critical social impact initiatives in Africa. The foundations are managed by his co-founder wife, Tsitsi, and their oldest daughter, Elizabeth.

Strive graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Cardiff. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Yale University, Nelson Mandela University, Morehouse College, and Cardiff University. He and his wife have six adult children and are committed Christians.

Hardy Pemhiwa

President & Group Chief Executive Officer

Hardy is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cassava Technologies. Hardy was Group Chief Executive & Managing Director of Econet for six years, one of the pioneers of the mobile telecoms industry in Africa.

Hardy Pemhiwa

President & CEO

Hardy Pemhiwa is the President and Chief Executive officer of Cassava Technologies. He was Group Chief Executive & Managing Director of Econet for six years, one of the pioneers of the mobile telecoms industry in Africa.

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Strategic Partnerships

Cassava Technologies is backed by significant investment and extensive collaboration with some of the world’s largest technology businesses and institutional investors interested in Africa’s digital transformation.