Zimbabwean telecoms billionaire Strive Masiyiwa has been appointed to the board of Netflix, says the streaming giant.
Masiyiwa replaces Susan Rice who has resigned to join US president-elect Joe Biden’s administration.
He owns Liquid Group, Liquid Telecom South Africa, and the Econet Group – a telecommunications and technology group with operations and investments in 29 countries in Africa and Europe.
Also recognised globally for his leadership contributions in a number of areas outside of business including his mentorship of millions of young entrepreneurs across Africa, who will create jobs for the next generation.
“We are delighted to welcome Strive to the Netflix board,” said Netflix co-founder, Chairman and co-CEO Reed Hastings. “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.”
Added Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos: “I’m thrilled to have Strive join our board as we expand more across Africa and the world.”
Masiyiwa serves on several international boards including Unilever Plc, National Geographic Society, Asia Society, and the Global Advisory boards of Bank of America, the Council on Foreign Relations (in the US), Stanford University, the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and the Prince of Wales Trust for Africa.
A former board member of the Rockefeller Foundation for 15 years, he is Chairman Emeritus of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and co-founder of the Generation Africa Gogettaz Agripreneur Prize.
“Netflix is at the forefront of bringing great entertainment from anywhere in the world to everyone in the world, and I look forward to working with the board and all stakeholders to continue its traditions of innovation and growth,” said Masiyiwa.
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with over 195 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages.
