Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-04-02 04:30:00
Born and raised in a small village outside Mbale, Eastern Uganda, Mr Isaac Were’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Orphaned at a young age, he found a new family with American missionaries before moving to South Carolina in 2004. This shift in location set the stage for a series of transformative experiences that would shape his future.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering, Mr Were spent six years serving in the U.S. Army, focusing on logistics and recruitment. However, the end of his military contract left him at a crossroads, unsure of his next steps. It was during a visit to Uganda in 2016 that he reconnected with his roots and decided to move back permanently in 2022.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with starting a new venture in a foreign country, Mr Were was determined to make it work. With his entrepreneurial spirit ignited, he founded Zimba Technologies, a company focused on providing tailored software solutions to enhance the efficiency of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Uganda.
Building a team from scratch, Mr Were faced initial setbacks with a lead engineer leaving abruptly and causing delays in the project. However, he persevered, learning valuable lessons about managing a business and people in the process. With a renewed focus on security, employee engagement, and operational processes, Zimba Technologies emerged stronger and more resilient.
Today, Zimba Technologies has onboarded over 30 institutions, including DuckHill Microfinance and Nyota SACCO, offering a range of packages to cater to different scales and requirements. The company’s pricing structure reflects its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its clients, with packages ranging from basic core features to customised solutions tailored to unique institutional needs.
Looking ahead, Mr Were envisions Zimba Technologies becoming a leading name in Uganda’s financial technology sector, with plans to expand into other East African markets. His vision for the company is ambitious, aiming for international recognition in providing core banking systems that simplify the work of SACCOs and MFIs across the region.
Despite the challenges and setbacks along the way, Mr Were’s journey from a small village in Uganda to the founder of a successful tech company is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in his community and beyond.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
