Zimbabwean-born billionaire, Strive Masiyiwa, who is the founder of Econet Wireless, said he is interested to work and help Malawi’s new president Lazarus Chakwera as he used to during the reign of Joyce Banda.
Masiyiwa, who now spends his time between London and Johannesburg, reportedly promised the Malawian leader that he will provide ventilators amid a spike in coronavirus cases and investment. Mayisiwa is quoted as having said:
I have a long history with Malawi and its a country I enjoy visiting.
Under the leadership of Joyce Banda (who I call big sister), I used to ‘drop-in’ unannounced with friends.
I once went with Bill and Chelsea Clinton, and we had a beautiful time.
… I will once again begin to ‘drop-in’ and send investors to the country, real investors.
While Malawi is busy courting Masiyiwa’s investments, the Zimbabwean government is hounding EcoCash, a mobile money company operating under Econet Wireless.
Econet officials in Harare believe that the government intends to cripple the company and allow NetOne, a failing state-owned competitor to take its huge share of the market.