Tech Guru and Philanthropist is the Central Bank of Barbados’ Guest for the 47th Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture

Billionaire tech guru and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa will be the Central Bank of Barbados' guest for its 47th Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture, “How Entrepreneurs Can and Do Use Technology and Philanthropy to Solve Economic and Social Issues.” The event will be broadcast on the Bank's Facebook page and YouTube channel on Monday, November 21 at 8:03 p.m.

The Zimbabwe-born, London-based entrepreneur is the founder and Chairman of the Econet Group, which comprises Econet Wireless and Cassava Technologies, the latter of which encompasses Africa’s largest cross-border fibre broadband network.

“We are very pleased to be able to give established and budding entrepreneurs and indeed all Barbadians the opportunity to benefit from Mr. Masiyiwa’s experience and insights,” said Novaline Brewster, Chief of Corporate Communications at the Bank. “Viewers will also discover how he has leveraged the same innovation that propelled him to success in business to improve the lives of our most vulnerable people.”

In addition to being a highly successful businessman, Masiyiwa has an established reputation as a philanthropist. He currently sits on the international board of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and has taken the Giving Pledge, in which some of the world’s richest people commit to donating the majority of their wealth to help address society’s most challenging problems.

“We had hoped to return to both a live and in-person format this year, however that was not possible given Mr. Masiyiwa’s schedule,” revealed Brewster. “As a result, we have maintained the format we used last year and are confident that viewers will still find his contribution to the discussion around both entrepreneurship and philanthropy invaluable. We encourage everyone to tune in.”

The Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture honours Barbados’ first native Governor General and is the island’s longest running lecture series. Past speakers include Former Chair of the Least Developed Nations Group Giza Gaspar Martins;  Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO); historian Dr. Richard Drayton; and former Nigerian Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is now Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.