Strive Masiyiwa is accelerating Africa’s industrial transformation with a bold vision to build Econet Tech City in Harare, positioning it as a world-class hub designed to attract global investors and technology companies. The Econet founder revealed that the project draws inspiration from successful developments across Africa and Asia, particularly the massive Eko Atlantic in Lagos.
Masiyiwa explained that modern investors increasingly demand seamless environments where critical infrastructure is already in place. As a result, Econet Tech City will deliver a fully integrated ecosystem that includes reliable power, water supply, fibre connectivity, satellite systems, and advanced waste management. In addition, the hub will offer security, transport systems, and simplified regulatory processes, ensuring that businesses can focus entirely on operations rather than bureaucracy.
Through Econet InfraCo, recently listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, the company has secured an 800-acre site near Robert Mugabe International Airport. The development is expected to host more than 300 companies while creating over 20,000 jobs, making it one of the most ambitious industrial projects in Zimbabwe’s recent history.
Unlike traditional industrial parks, Econet Tech City will operate as a fully managed environment. Econet InfraCo will not only build the infrastructure but also oversee daily operations for tenants. Furthermore, the site will feature high-level security systems, including perimeter walls, 24-hour guards, CCTV monitoring, and drone surveillance to ensure safety and efficiency.
Masiyiwa emphasized that collaboration with the Zimbabwean government will play a key role in addressing infrastructure gaps and attracting investors. He noted that the goal is to create a self-sustaining “city within a city,” complete with essential services such as a shopping mall and healthcare facilities, although residential housing and office complexes will not form part of the initial design.
The project also integrates sustainability into its core strategy. A nearby water stream will support supply needs, while a 100MW solar plant will power operations. Engineers and architects have already begun designing the facility, and solar panels for the first phase are expected to arrive soon. Meanwhile, Econet plans to expand its data centre footprint by building a 10MW facility within the hub, building on its existing 5MW centre in Harare.
Masiyiwa highlighted the urgency of the initiative, stressing that Africa’s growing youth population requires immediate job creation. He added that Zimbabwe must compete with leading African cities such as Cape Town, Nairobi, and Kigali to secure global investment flows. Therefore, Econet Tech City aims to position Harare as a competitive destination for high-tech industries and manufacturing.
The timeline remains ambitious yet achievable. According to Masiyiwa, the site could be completed within two years, provided that supportive government incentives are introduced. However, full operations may take up to five years as the project rolls out in phases. Encouragingly, the announcement has already sparked strong interest from both local and international companies.
Masiyiwa also made it clear that Econet will not seek exclusive benefits from the government. Instead, he hopes the initiative will inspire similar developments across Zimbabwe and other African nations. As a Pan-Africanist, he believes that scalable industrial hubs like Econet Tech City could drive long-term economic growth across the continent.
At its core, the project represents more than infrastructure; it signals a shift toward Africa-led innovation and industrialization. With increasing demand for digital services, data centres, and smart manufacturing, Econet Tech City could become a blueprint for future developments across Africa.
