Popular online streaming platform Netflix has announced it has appointed top Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa to its’ board.
Masiyiwa is the founder and executive chairman of Econet Global, a telcom company that traverse 29 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Econet group offers mobile payment, broadband distribution and satelite services. His appointment comes in hand with Netflix’s need to expand in other continents like Africa and Asia.
Masiyiwa brings a fresh set of connections and experience as the first African — and the third international media executive — to join Netflix’s board in recent years. The streaming giant already has two directors from Europe, which has been its fastest-growing region in recent years.
Netflix now has more than 190 million subscribers with U.S. and Europe taking the lead.
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“We are delighted to welcome Strive to the Netflix board,” Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings said Wednesday in a statement. “His entrepreneurship and vision in building businesses across Africa and beyond will bring valuable insights and experience to our board as we work to improve and serve more members all around the world.” reported Bloomberg.
Masiyiwa is one of Africa’s richest billionaires and has been recognized for his generosity even in his home country, Zimbabwe.
He once offered to pay the southern Africa country’s doctors to end their four month strike that had paralysed the health sector.
Masiyiwa offered a six months fellowship with allowances to the public doctors through his charity foundation.
Masiyiwa fortune is estimated at 1.1 billion USD by Forbes.
Source: Africa News, Bloomberg