Econet Wireless

Econet Wireless Group
Private
Traded as ZSE: ECO
Industry Telecommunications
Founded 1993
Headquarters Johannesburg, South Africa
Key people
 Strive Masiyiwa, Group founder and Group Chairman
Products GSM-related products
Internet services
solar energy
Revenue Increase US$ 3 billion (2011)
Slogan Inspired to change your world! [1]
Website econetwireless.com

Econet Wireless is a diversified telecommunications group with operations and investments in Africa, Europe, South America and the East Asia Pacific Rim, offering products and services in the core areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, broadband, satellite, optical fiber networks and mobile payment.

The group's subsidiaries include Econet Wireless International, Econet Wireless Africa, Econet Solar International, Econet Wireless Group and Liquid Telecom.[2]

History

Econet Wireless was created in 1993 in Zimbabwe by Strive Masiyiwa.[3]

In 1998, Econet Wireless is granted a telephony licence, at a time when 70% of the country inhabitants had never heard a ringtone.[4]

In October 2014, Econet Wireless acquired VimpelCom's Telecel in Burundi (U-COM) and Central African Republic (Telecel CAR) for $65 million[5]

In 2014, Econet Wireless announced a 14.7% drop in annual profits, from $140 million down to $119 million.[6] In October 2015, due to dropping benefits, the company announced a 100-employee layoff to cope with the losses.[7] In 2015, due to increasing losses, the group imposed a 20% salary cut to its employees, and negotiated a 15% discount with its suppliers, even though its service EcoCash continues to prosper.[8]

In June 2015, despite the economic turmoil, the company distributed $15 million in dividends to shareholders.[9]

The group

Econet Wireless is a privately owned group, and is not listed on any stock exchange. One of its subsidiaries, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and its activities are confined only to the Zimbabwe market.

The group is controlled by its founder, Strive Masiyiwa, and is based in London.[10]

Econet Wireless Global

Econet Wireless Global is the mobile telephony branch of Econet Wireless. It is the parent company of Liquid Telecom.

Econet Solar

Econet Solar is a manufacturer and distributor of solar products, for the global market, and in particular developing countries. The company's patented new solar product the Home|Power|Station has been installed around the Kwa Mashu area nestled in the valley of a thousand hills in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the company, these pilot units have been functioning well, and changing the lives of the people in the areas of installation. Similar pilot projects are currently being deployed in Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Burundi.[11]

The Home Power Station was first launched by Econet Wireless Executive Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa, in Durban during the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).[12]

Econet Wireless also owns a majority interest in US-based Seldon Technologies, a producer of nano-carbon filtration systems.[5]

Liquid Telecom

Liquid Telecommunications is an independent data, voice and IP provider, supplying wholesale optical fiber, satellite and international carrier services to telecommunications operators in developing countries. The subsidiary is based in Mauritius.[10]

Liquid owns and operate extensive fiber optical network infrastructure (in southern Africa) and multiple satellite ground facilities in the United Kingdom, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Somalia, Burundi, Niger and Kenya, relying on three satellite transponders. Its worldwide hub is located in central London and serves as an additional point from which to provide interconnections to telecommunications operators worldwide. The company provides a range of wholesale international carrier services.

In December 2015, Liquid Telecom announced the launch of a project to connect eastern Africa and the Middle East with a submarine cable system that will bring high-speed internet to this part of the globe.[13]

Steward Bank Limited

Main article: Steward Bank

In February, Econet acquired a controlling interest in the then TN Bank Zimbabwe, one of the commercial banks in Zimbabwe now called Steward Bank. The bank, whose shares were previously listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), were delisted when it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Econet.[14]

Ecocash

In 2005, Econet Wireless developed a mobile payment system to help NGOs make cash transfers to refugees after the Burundi war. The model was extended and integrated in Econet Wireless' technology, along with a credit solution.[4]

EcoCash was officially launched in 2011 and is operated by Econet Services, a separate subsidiary. Within 18 months of its launch, 31% of Zimbabwe's adult population registered to the service.[10]

Its focus is on P2P money transfers. EcoCash provides a saving account, international transfers, banking services, payroll services, and became a solution to pay for public transportation in October 2012. Since March 2013, EcoCash is also available as a payment solution for retailers[15]

The founder

Main article: Strive Masiyiwa

Econet Wireless was founded by Zimbawean National, Strive Masiyiwa, who first came to international prominence when he fought a landmark constitutional legal battle for five years in Zimbabwe. The ruling, which led to the removal of the monopoly of the state in telecommunications, is generally regarded as one of the key milestones in opening the African telecommunications sector to private capital. Strive Masiyiwa left Zimbabwe in March 2000, and lives in South Africa, with his family.

References

External links

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