Snap Tech International formally enters Zimbabwe market with new office

As the change of leadership provides new impetus to the economy in Zimbabwe, Snap Tech International has established a branch in the country, hoping to assimilate with the fresh business environment. The firm is headquartered in South Africa, and operates across the entire African continent, as well as in Europe and Australia. 

Winds of change are adrift in Zimbabwe. After 37 years in power, sustained via undemocratic and autocratic means, President Robert Mugabe resigned his post in November last year in light of impeachment efforts from Parliament, and popular pressure from the general public.

While a change in leadership after nearly four decades has bred uncertainty and apprehension, economic policies are one area in which the country seems to have struck the right note. The new President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has placed economic reform high on his priorities, calling for a renewed focus on growing businesses and attracting investment  to the country.

The business community has responded proactively, as indicated by the rapid emergence of new enterprises, aided by the increasingly vibrant consulting industry. Big Four accounting and advisory firm EY has been particularly helpful, through the establishment of its Business Accelerator Programme in Zimbabwe.

The customised programme essentially gathers groups of young entrepreneurs, and offers comprehensive training in the domain of business strategy. The programme is interactive in the sense that these young professionals are given the opportunity to engage with highly experienced and established business executives, who answer questions and act as mentors where required.

Other consulting firms that are active on the African continent have also responded well. Earlier this year, Mercer entered the Zimbabwe market through a strategic partnership with local firm Advisory K. Now, another consultancy and training firm by the name of Snap Tech International (STI) has established a branch in Zimbabwe, inspired primarily by the declarations from the new President.

Based out of South Africa, STI finds its primary expertise in business transformation and change management, which makes it the perfect match for an economy that is looking to rebuild itself. The firm offers services in constructing tailored frameworks, risk management and project management.

Approaches employed by the firm include assessments of organizational maturity, portfolio and project support, establishment of best practice capability, competency assessments,  and a range of others. In addition, the firm also offers training in the form of capability improvement workshops, team strength building, and other initiatives.

As explained by Guy Easto, CEO of STI, “We do both training and change management, we train companies to use those skills within their organizations to evoke transformational change. Snap Tech Zimbabwe will learn from the group and use their resources in the meantime until they can operate on their own.”

The firm has already consulted with the banking sector in Zimbabwe, but had been apprehensive about establishing an office in the country due to its previously closed business environment.

Commenting on the new move, Dakarai Kuhlengisa, the Director for Snap Tech Zimbabwe said, “The call by our President for change and the declaration that Zimbabwe is open for business is a massive integrated project that requires the necessary project management skills in order to meet the objectives within the expected time-frames and it is our honest and sincere belief that they will be serious skills gaps in both the private and public sector for ensuring that this massive project is managed adequately.”