Who was Wicknell Chivayo? The Zimbabwe tycoon who dined with presidents

Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent businessman in Zimbabwe, accumulated his wealth through a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments. His biography reveals a humble beginning, losing his father at the age of 10 and being raised by his mother in Chivhu. Financial struggles led to his early education ending at Form Two, where he worked as a wages clerk at a local bus company.

Chivayo's business journey began from these modest origins, eventually leading him to establish interests in energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, petroleum, and logistics. One of his most well-known ventures is Intratrek Zimbabwe, which he described as a managing director and shareholder. The company focuses on renewable energy development and operates in various hydro and thermal power projects across sub-Saharan Africa.

Intratrek Zimbabwe played a significant role in Chivayo's wealth, particularly through the Gwanda Solar Project, a 100-megawatt solar power station with an original contract valued at $173 million. The project, which underwent years of legal proceedings, was eventually completed for about $132 million. It is essential to note that this contract value does not represent Chivayo's personal income, as infrastructure projects involve multiple stakeholders and expenses.

In addition to Intratrek, Chivayo invested in petroleum and logistics, as well as telecommunications. In May 2024, Zimbabwe approved Starlink, with IMC Communications, a business owned by Chivayo, as the local partner. Chivayo also expanded his business interests beyond Zimbabwe, with Intratrek developing a presence in eight sub-Saharan African countries.

While Chivayo's wealth is evident from his expensive vehicles, properties, and large-scale donations, it cannot be precisely measured from publicly available information. His lifestyle demonstrates access to considerable financial resources, but no independently audited record establishes his exact personal net worth. Chivayo's wealth is built on a foundation of diverse business interests, with energy and infrastructure forming a major part of his portfolio through Intratrek Zimbabwe.