Zimbabwe’s richest man steps in to help South African returnees

Thousands of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa could find new opportunities as billionaire businessman Strive Masiyiwa pushes his companies to help absorb people coming back home.

Masiyiwa turns focus to Zimbabwe’s returnees

Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa has directed the telecommunications group to step up efforts to create employment opportunities for Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.

The move comes as Zimbabwe faces the challenge of absorbing large numbers of returnees into an economy where formal employment opportunities remain limited.

Econet Zimbabwe chief executive Douglas Mboweni said management had held several meetings with Masiyiwa to determine how the group could contribute to the response.

Rather than creating an entirely new programme, the company plans to accelerate projects that are already underway, with job creation forming a major part of the strategy.

Masiyiwa’s Econet Tech City could create thousands of jobs

One of the biggest opportunities could come from Econet Tech City, Masiyiwa’s planned technology and industrial hub in Harare.

The project is being developed by Econet InfraCo on an 800-acre site near Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

It is expected to attract about 300 companies and ultimately create more than 20,000 jobs once fully developed.

Masiyiwa has previously said the project is intended to help address Zimbabwe’s urgent need for jobs, particularly for young people.

In the short term, however, speeding up construction could provide employment much sooner, as the development moves into its next phases.

That could give returning Zimbabweans an opportunity to earn an income while the wider Tech City project takes shape.

Agriculture could offer another route into employment

Econet’s plans also extend beyond technology and construction.

Mboweni said the group intends to expand its AgriTech operations, including agricultural projects producing fruit for export to China.

Agriculture is being viewed as a relatively quick way of putting people to work, with the company looking at opportunities that could create hundreds of jobs.

The approach also reflects Masiyiwa’s broader interest in agriculture and rural transformation. His official biography notes his involvement in African agricultural initiatives and food systems.

EcoCash plans major agent recruitment drive

Perhaps the biggest immediate employment opportunity could come from EcoCash.

The mobile-money business plans to recruit 15 000 new agents by Christmas, according to Mboweni.

He said each new agent typically supports at least two jobs, potentially creating a significant number of income opportunities through the expansion of the EcoCash network.

For returnees who already have experience in retail, sales, financial services or small business, agent opportunities could provide a relatively accessible route back into the economy.

Masiyiwa’s response to Zimbabwe’s returnee challenge

The push comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe.

Large numbers of Zimbabweans have been returning from South Africa, increasing pressure on the government to find ways of supporting people who may have lost jobs, businesses or sources of income across the border.

The government has also called on the private sector to play a greater role in absorbing returnees and creating economic opportunities.

Masiyiwa’s response places one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent business groups at the centre of that effort.