1. PRESENTATION BY STRIVE MASIYIWA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
ICT IN AFRICA
PRESENTATION BY STRIVE MASIYIWA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
ECONET WIRELESS GROUP

2. OBSERVATIONS AND LESSONS FROM THE ECONET WIRELESS EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSITY LEADERS’ FORUM
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
19 NOVEMBER 2006

3. ECONET TODAY
ECONET HAS OFFICES & OPERATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES:
South Africa (H.O),
Zimbabwe,
Botswana,
Lesotho,
Nigeria,
Kenya, UK
New Zealand.

4. AREAS OF ACTIVITY IN ICT
Mobile Cellular Communications
Internet Services
Satellite Communications
Fixed Public Networks

5. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ECONET
5 year legal battle to obtain mobile licence in Zimbabwe
The creation of Mascom Wireless
Econet Satellite Services
GSM in Nigeria

6. ECONET AS AN AFRICAN CHAMPION
The only Pan African Communications Group started and owned by Africans.
The company with global reach – Australia, Fiji, PNG, India, Malta and Morocco.
Partnerships with global companies – Eskom, P.T, Ericssons, Huawei, Singapore Temasek.

7. ECONET AS A PIONEER News on Demand Mobile Banking Bulk SMS
UK Satellite
Pre-Paid

8. OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR EXPERIENCE
African policy makers do not consider science and technology a priority
There is little understanding of its economic and social impact.
Literacy precedes numeracy.
Regulation is for control rather than development.
There is a deep mistrust of entrepreneurs.
Skills development in the sector is almost non-existent.

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
Clear vision and a conviction for a technology driven society.
Embrace the benefits of science and technology.
Need for clear policies to develop a competitive enterprise society.
Africans must first learn to work together before looking to outsiders.
Broaden technology skills development.
Broaden movement of skilled people across the continent.
Encourage immigration of skilled people into Africa.

10. THANK YOU