Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa is now the first African on Netflix’s board of directors. – By Gerald Gekara.
Netflix announced the Econet founder which has business locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, as their board member to increase Netflix’s marketing base in Africa.
Netflix co-founder, chairman and co-CEO Reed Hastings welcomed Masiyiwa as reported by The Hollywood Reporter:
“We are delighted to welcome Strive to the Netflix board. 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.”
The billionaire will now lead the Netflix along side two European board members.
Masiyiwa has extensive business experience and has sat on several boards.
He served on a number of international boards including Unilever, National Geographic Society, Asia Society, and the Global Advisory boards of Bank of America, the Council on Foreign Relations in the US, Stanford University, and the Prince of Wales Trust for Africa, this according to BusinessDay.
Econet is said to have operations in 29 African countries, proving that this is the merger that Netflix needs to accelerate its market range and reach.
Masiyiwa is not the first Black representative at the helm of the streaming site. Outgoing director, Susan Rice, was the first Black female recruited by the streaming giant.
Masiyiwa replaces Rice as she resigned to serve in US President Joe Biden’s incoming administration.
