By Andrew Irumba
Africa’s 8th richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, wants Uganda, the pearl of Africa declared a continental conference Centre.
The founder and executive chairman of Econet Wireless Group made the request this week during a two-day ‘Africa Now Summit 2019’.
The event was held on March 12 and 13 2019 and was jointly hosted by Speke Resort Munyonyo and the adjoining Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo.
Held, under the theme, “Towards a secure, integrated and growing Africa” the summit attracted over 1,000 delegates that included among others, H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, President of Somalia, H.E William Samoei Ruto, the Vice President of Kenya and H.E Samia Hassan Suluhu, the Vice President of Tanzania.
“Why don’t we declare this venue; this site the official Africa conference center, I go all over Africa to conferences in big hotels and we end up in basements for conferences. But this is an amazing venue, thank you very much for organizing it, I will come every year if you want,” the over excited and mesmerized Masiyiwa said.
Who Is Strive Masiyiwa?
Strive Masiyiwa, born 29 January 1961 is a London-based Zimbabwean businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of diversified international Telecommunications, Media and Technology group Econet Wireless.
Masiyiwa is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. As a Panel Member, he facilitates coalition building to leverage and broker knowledge and convenes decision-makers to influence policy for lasting change in Africa.
He has won numerous accolades and gained international recognition for his business expertise and philanthropy, and is considered one of Africa’s most generous humanitarians. Masiyiwa has used his wealth to provide scholarships to over 100,000 young Africans over the past 20 years through his family foundation. He supports over 40,000 orphans with educational initiatives, as well as sponsoring students at universities in America, The United Kingdom, and China. Over the last few years, Masiyiwa has devoted his time to mentoring the next generation of African entrepreneurs on Facebook.
Facebook has actually identified his platform as having the most engaged following of any business leader in the world.
Masiyiwa also funds initiatives in public health and agriculture across the African continent
He is also the owner of Kwese Free sports channel operating in a number of African countries including Uganda.
Common wealth resort Munyonyo, built on approx.100 acres by the breezy shores of Lake Victoria, have over 450 self-contained rooms ready for accommodation and 25 international standard conference rooms.
Recently, Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo and Speke Resort Munyonyo won the coveted 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards regional and country categories respectively.
