How Zimbabwe’s Most Ambitious Entrepreneur Built a Pan-African Business Empire
In the landscape of African entrepreneurship, few figures command attention quite like Sir Wicknell Chivayo. From his beginnings as a security guard in Harare to becoming a businessman with direct access to presidents across eight African nations, Chivayo’s journey epitomizes the audacious spirit of Africa’s new generation of deal makers.
Today, with business interests spanning Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, the 45-year-old has positioned himself at the intersection of infrastructure development, renewable energy, and continental trade – sectors critical to Africa’s economic transformation.
The Continental Expansion: $2.5 Billion and Beyond
March 2025 marked a watershed moment in Chivayo’s business trajectory. His company, Intratrek ZW, secured a partnership with China’s Chint Group worth $2.5 billion for major electrical infrastructure projects across Kenya and Tanzania. The deal includes construction of 13 power transmission lines in Kenya and a nationwide grid modernization initiative in Tanzania – projects that will power economic growth for millions.
This represents Chivayo’s ability to bridge African governments with international capital and expertise. In a continent where infrastructure gaps remain significant barriers to development, such deals represent tangible progress.
A Network of Presidential Relationships
What distinguishes Chivayo from conventional entrepreneurs is his remarkable access to Africa’s highest political offices. In July 2025, he held discussions with four African heads of state: Presidents Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, William Ruto of Kenya, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and Daniel Chapo of Mozambique, discussing energy cooperation, cross-border infrastructure development, and regional trade facilitation.
His presidential connections extend to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who by 2025 described him as a “philanthropist,” Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (meeting in October 2025), and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema (discussing renewable energy in November 2025).
Strategic Diversification Across Critical Sectors
While renewable energy remains his primary focus, Chivayo has strategically diversified across sectors vital to African development:
Healthcare Infrastructure: Through TTM Global Medical Exports, his network secured a $439 million contract to supply cancer treatment machines to Zimbabwean hospitals, bringing life-saving technology with annual payments of $109 million over four years.
Electoral Systems: Through Ren-Form CC, he has secured contracts with Zimbabwe’s Electoral Commission for the 2023 elections and Namibia’s Electoral Commission for a N$6.2 million contract for the November 2024 elections.
Fuel Distribution: His fuel export company in South Africa exports to Lesotho, demonstrating expertise in cross-border energy trade.
Philanthropy at Continental Scale
Chivayo’s charitable giving in 2024-2025 has reached millions of dollars, targeting health, education, sports, and culture.
In September 2025, he donated 10 ICU-capable Toyota Land Cruiser ambulances to government hospitals across Zimbabwe’s provincial capitals – over $1 million strengthening emergency medical response.
His $1 million donation to the Zion Christian Church enables construction of five new schools across Zimbabwe, expanding educational access in underserved regions.
He provided $250,000 to Highlanders Football Club in October 2025, supporting youth development and community pride through sports investment.
Chivayo has donated hundreds of vehicles and substantial cash to artists, religious communities, and grassroots organizations, channeling wealth into cultural development.
For his 45th birthday in November 2025, he donated vehicles, buses, and cash to women’s empowerment groups, schools, churches, and community organizations – wealth redistribution exceeding $5.3 million.
The Deal Maker’s Philosophy
Chivayo’s success rests on three strategic pillars:
Political Access and Relationship Capital: As an unashamed supporter of Zimbabwe’s ruling party ZANU PF, with family history in the liberation struggle and security sector, Chivayo understands how major infrastructure decisions are made at the highest levels.
International Partnership Facilitation: Chivayo connects African governments with international companies possessing technical expertise and financing capacity. The Chint Group partnership exemplifies this – he provides local knowledge and government access while international partners bring technology and capital.
Multi-Sector Diversification: Operating across energy, healthcare, electoral systems, and fuel distribution creates multiple revenue streams and positions him as a comprehensive development partner to governments.
Regional Integration in Action
Chivayo’s cross-border operations in East Africa, Southern Africa, and expanding into West Africa position him as a practical implementer of pan-African economic cooperation. His energy discussions with multiple East African presidents advance regional power integration and economic resilience.
From Security Guard to Continental Player
Chivayo’s journey from security guard at a Harare grocery store to continental deal maker embodies Africa’s possibility narrative. Supervisors who recognized his potential and promoted him from security to apprentice to employee set in motion a trajectory leading to boardrooms with presidents and billion-dollar deals.
The Africa Rising Context
Chivayo’s success occurs within broader African wealth creation. According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report, there are over 500,000 millionaires in Africa, growing as economies develop. A Citigroup study predicts emerging markets including South Africa will comprise over 40% of world GDP by 2050.
African entrepreneurs are increasingly securing mega-projects in manufacturing, energy, and agriculture – a fundamental shift from aid dependency to entrepreneurial dynamism.
The Path Forward
Chivayo enters his prime business years with established relationships across multiple countries, proven deal-closing ability, and a diversified portfolio. His trajectory points toward:
- West African expansion following his meeting with President Tinubu
- Renewable energy growth as African nations accelerate clean energy transitions
- Regional infrastructure enhancing African integration
- Healthcare technology building on the cancer equipment success
- Digital infrastructure as connectivity becomes essential
Building Legacy Through Infrastructure
The power transmission lines energizing Kenya and Tanzania, schools educating future generations, ambulances saving lives, and sports funding developing youth talent represent Chivayo’s tangible contributions to African development – wealth channeled toward lasting progress.
The New African Entrepreneur
Wicknell Chivayo represents a new model of African entrepreneurship – politically connected, internationally networked, multi-sector focused, and visibly philanthropic. As Africa accelerates its economic transformation, entrepreneurs who navigate complex environments, assemble international partnerships, and deliver infrastructure play crucial roles in continental development.
His story from security guard to continental business figure demonstrates African possibility at its most dynamic. In a continent building its future, those who facilitate capital flows, construct infrastructure, and create opportunity are architects of the Africa Rising narrative.
Chivayo has positioned himself at the center of this transformation, operating across borders and sectors with ambition that matches Africa’s own aspirations.
Sources & References:
- Knight Frank Wealth Report
- Chivayo secures $2.5bn energy deals in Kenya and Tanzania – The Herald
- Chivayo holds discussions with four African heads of state – Pindula News
- Wicknell Chivayo meets Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – ZimCelebs
- Chivayo meets Zambian leader – The Herald
- Chivayo donates 10 ambulances to Hospitals – Business Daily
- ZCC to build 5 schools using US$1 million donation – Chronicle
- Highlanders receive another U.S.$250,000 from Wicknell Chivayo – AllAfrica
- Wicknell Chivayo’s lavish donations reach new heights in 2024 – Dandaro Online
- Chivayo donates vehicles, buses and cash on 45th birthday – Pindula News
- Sir Wicknell Chivayo: Zimbabwe’s flashy tycoon – Youth Village Zimbabwe
- No reason to cancel Ren-Form contract – ECN – The Namibian
- $439m cancer equipment deal – NewsDay
Oscar Habeenzu is a business journalist focusing on African entrepreneurship, leadership, economic development, and emerging markets. He writes for Kufunga Magazine and other publications covering African business.
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