Published: 4 hours ago

Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa has been recognised in the Times 100 AI Personalities of 2025, earning global acclaim for his ambitious push to democratise artificial intelligence access across Africa.

Masiyiwa, founder of Econet and executive chairman of Cassava Technologies, has positioned himself at the forefront of efforts to address one of the continent's biggest barriers to AI innovation: limited computing power. According to the UN Development Program, just 5% of Africa's AI talent currently has access to the resources needed to conduct cutting-edge research.

In March this year, Cassava Technologies announced a landmark partnership with Nvidia to establish Africa's first "AI factory"  -  a data centre designed specifically to develop and run advanced AI systems. The first facility, set to open in South Africa, will make 3,000 Nvidia GPUs available for rent. By July, Cassava had already partnered with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association, giving 3,000 of its practitioners direct access to the infrastructure.

Over the next four years, Cassava plans to roll out similar AI factories in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco, with investments projected to reach $720 million.

"We have now set up a business which will allow anyone to simply rent compute time and develop any AI workload to build a beautiful product," Masiyiwa said in a LinkedIn post. "Those who understand GPUs and how they are used (and believe me, there are many African companies and entrepreneurs who do!) have already pre-ordered most of our initial capacity. We are already having to plan the next phase of the expansion."

Masiyiwa's inclusion in the Times list places him alongside global leaders in artificial intelligence, underscoring his influence not only in business and telecoms but also in shaping Africa's digital future.
- BD

You might also want to read this

• Strive Masiyiwa pockets $100m in dividends
• Zimbabwe shoots down Masiyiwa's rand proposal
• Strive Masiyiwa upbeat about Econet offshoot
• Masiyiwa inks Cape to Cairo fibre network deal
• Strive Masiyiwa bailed Mugabe's govt out
• Masiyiwas honoured by British PM Theresa May
• Mnangagwa's govt reaches out to Masiyiwa
• Masiyiwa hails Chiwenga
• Zimbabwe's first $ billionaire
• Experts question exclusion of Masiyiwa from SEZs