Econet boss, Fayaz King, gets UN’s appointment

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has announced the appointment of Econet COO Fayaz King as the new Assistant Secretary-General to serve as the Deputy Executive Director, Field Results and Innovation for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

In a statement by the UN, King who joined Econet in 2015 was influential in digitally transforming the telecommunications company. He served on the Boards of Liquid Telecom Zimbabwe, Econet Burundi and Econet Lesotho, bringing to the position over 30 years of experience in innovation, business development, organizational & digital transformation.

He previously served as Managing Director at Bharti Airtel International and Celtel International, having worked in Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Mr. King has spearheaded the implementation of several technological innovations, including digital products, and overseen developments aimed at digitizing school education and healthcare. He is a passionate driver of youth development and empowerment.

Mr. King founded various entrepreneurial endeavours, in the field of agriculture and food security, driving efficiencies through technology innovations. He held the role of Chief Executive Officer and Group Marketing Director at Innscor Africa Limited where he pioneered the growth of a range of products and services, from bread and confectionary to video games and entertainment, and expanded the Zimbabwean business ventures in the region.

He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Zimbabwe in 1994 and completed several specialized courses at INSEAD, HEC Paris and Harvard Business School.

Meanwhile the board of Econet has expressed its appreciation for King’s contributions while he was the COO, wishing him luck in his new assignment.

 “As Fayaz moves on from the Econet family that he had become such an integral and vital part of, we would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him and his family the best as he takes up this opportunity at the United Nations. On behalf of the Econet family and on my own behalf, I would to like to congratulate and wish Fayaz well in his new assignment.”

Fayaz King will continue in his role until September: