Who is Aashiq Shariff?
Aashiq Shariff is a self-taught business professional and entrepreneur with over two decades of building and leading successful innovative and technology led businesses in the East Africa region. His remarkable journey started in the year 1999 as a salesman in an Internet Service Provider business operating in Tanzania.Through his passion for technology, especially nurturing talent, Aashiq played an instrumental role in transforming a small ISP to one of the leading broadband connectivity and IT powerhouses in Tanzania. Under his visionary leadership as the CEO, the business was acquired by Liquid Intelligent Technologies in 2017, marking a major milestone in Tanzania’s tech sector.
Aashiq has since continued to set records as a promising business advisor, public speaker, and business coach to young start-ups. Drawing from his entrepreneurial spirit and cross-industry expertise, he has built a diverse portfolio of investments in marketing and business consulting, mobile advertising, digital ticketing and clean energy solutions. Currently, Aashiq serves as the Managing Director of Echo Tanzania and Regional Commercial Director of Echo East Africa that is a digital services integrator providing managed services, ITaaS, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence-based surveillance systems, and internet connectivity.
Beyond his corporate role, Aashiq is passionate in developing people, nurturing talent pipelines and more importantly leaving behind a legacy that would create value in people’s lives. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in tech, innovation and IT sectors, Aashiq’s raw entrepreneurial DNA, technical proficiency, and people-first approach have cemented his reputation as a fresh and unique force for innovation and an impetus for positive change in East Africa’s business landscape.