STRIVE MASIYIWA

Strive Masiyiwa is the wealthiest individual in the South African Republic of Zimbabwe. In 1993, he launched the telecoms business Econet Wireless, which pioneered the use of mobile phones and changed the country's communication environment. Masiyiwa also owns just over half of the private company Liquid Telecom, which provides fiber optic and satellite services to telecom firms across Africa.

Strive Masiyiwa and his wife Tsitsi created Higherlife 20 years ago to assist the education of over 250,000 African youngsters. He also provides educational opportunities and student subsidies to over 40,000 orphans in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Strive Masiyiwa has been nicknamed the "Bill Gates of Africa" for his commercial acumen and charitable efforts. Strive Masiyiwa's assets are currently valued at over 73 trillion VND. He used to buy luxurious real estate for tens of billions of dong. Strive Masiyiwa relocated to the United Kingdom in 2010. He currently resides in a home in Surrey, valued at more than 75 billion VND, on exclusive private property.

Net worth: $2.7 billion

Industry: Telecom

Country: Zimbabwe