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Green Ngwira: From 33MHz Dream to Zambia’s AI Solutions

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In Lusaka, where the hum of opportunity often collides with the static of economic constraints, one entrepreneur has been quietly, yet profoundly, rewriting the rules of the digital economy. Forget the shimmering glass towers of tech’s gilded coasts; here, innovation rises from the red dust, powered by a 33MHz dream and a relentless drive. Green Ngwira’s story is not just another entrepreneurial hustle; it’s an audacious blueprint for what’s possible when unrelenting vision meets calculated risk.

Green, a man whose origin story reads like a digital psalm, isn’t just building a company; he’s architecting a future.

“I was born in Lusaka at the Maina Soko Military Hospital—now known as Mina Soko Medical Centre—from a family of eight children, and I am the youngest. My father, Rev. Major Green Ngwira, a distinguished military man in the Zambia Army and a pioneer of Chaplaincy in the Defence Forces (who passed away in 2017), along with my mother, Elina C. Ngwira, instilled in us the values of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and a strict “military” discipline (literally, lol),” he recalls.

“Every achievement in my career is deeply centered on the values and faith my parents instilled in me from the very beginning,” he confesses, a testament to a foundation built on military discipline and divine inspiration.

From DOS Commands to Digital Disruption

Indeed, his journey is a stark departure from the typical startup narrative. Born into a family of eight, his childhood was punctuated by the rhythmic click of DOS commands, not venture capital pitches.

“When I was about eight years old, my father came home with a desktop computer—a Dell with a 33MHz processor, VGA color monitor, 100MB hard drive, and 4MB of RAM—along with a set of floppy disk drives. I was immediately intrigued when he turned it on and began entering commands on a black screen,” he recalls.

That initial spark, ignited by the pixelated magic of a game Prince of Persia, became a roaring inferno, fueling a lifelong obsession with technology’s transformative potential. This wasn’t just about playing a game; it was about understanding how machines worked, how commands translated into action, how data could be manipulated, stored, retrieved.

Moreover, Green’s path wasn’t paved with privilege. Instead, financial hurdles forced him to briefly abandon education, a setback that would have crippled lesser spirits. However, rather than succumbing to despair, he channeled his frustration into independent research, a self-taught odyssey into the digital wilderness. He found “loopholes in the systems of MTN and Airtel,” a testament to his innate ability to dissect and reconstruct the digital world. This raw, street-smart ingenuity became the bedrock of his entrepreneurial drive.

“My journey in technology formally began in 2009 when I started studying for a Bachelor’s in Computing at ZCAS. Financial challenges led to moments of deferment, during which I pursued independent research, identifying loopholes in the systems of MTN and Airtel. I continued my studies until I achieved my Advanced Diploma (L5) in Computer Studies at NCC. Eventually, practical opportunities and financial constraints guided me to drop out and channel my efforts into the real world,” Green says.

Consequently, in 2013, he co-founded G & H Corporation Limited, a crucible where his technical prowess forged robust IT solutions for private and governmental entities. Subsequently, his ambition expanded, leading him to co-found HNM Group, an award-winning conglomerate that spanned spices, aviation, and tourism. Each venture was a stepping stone, a lesson in leadership and the brutal ballet of business.

“In 2016, I broadened my horizons by co-founding HNM Group—an award-winning conglomerate with subsidiaries such as HNM Spices & Herbs and Aviation Week Africa—and became a founding partner of TMBrothers Tourism & Hospitality Limited, which offers luxurious apartments and operates a restaurant in Lusaka,”

Fast forward a decade, and that same curiosity has evolved into Griene Tech-Fix, a homegrown tech powerhouse reconfiguring Zambia’s digital terrain. Founded in 2019, the company was born out of necessity, fueled by personal investment, local angel investors, and a belief that Zambia’s digital future could be shaped by its people.

The Business of Innovation That Matters

Griene Tech-Fix is a venture born from a deep-seated desire to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the stark realities of the Zambian market. “Recognizing a gap in the market for solutions that are both innovative and grounded in local realities, I set out to create a company that would advance technology in Zambia while addressing genuine business challenges,” Green explains.

And that’s exactly what Griene Tech-Fix has done. The company doesn’t just build software; it engineers problem-solving ecosystems.

Furthermore, Griene Tech-Fix isn’t just another tech startup. It’s a defiant declaration. “Our commitment to tailoring advanced technology to Zambia’s unique environment distinguishes us from other startups,” he asserts. Specifically, the company focuses on “practical innovation—ensuring every solution not only impresses with its technical merit but also delivers measurable benefits to businesses.” This ethos, a blend of visionary ambition and grounded pragmatism, has earned the company national recognition and industry acclaim.

Zambia isn’t Silicon Valley. It doesn’t have an overflow of VC cash waiting to be deployed on moonshot ideas. What it does have, however, is a growing appetite for digital transformation—and Green saw the gap before most.

From Griene-AI, an artificial intelligence platform streamlining business efficiency, to Ticket-EL, a digital ticketing system eliminating bottlenecks in event management, every product in his portfolio is designed with a singular purpose: solving local problems with global precision.

In a region where digital transformation is often spoken about in theoretical terms, he is making it tangible. His approach is pragmatic: technology must be both cutting-edge and accessible. In essence, he wasn’t just building apps; he was building solutions. ZamInfo, GEAMS, LIZAPO, Griene-AI—each platform a testament to his commitment to practical innovation.

“At Griene Tech-Fix, innovation is driven by real needs. Whether it’s creating user-friendly products like ZamInfo, GEAMS, LIZAPO, G-Property, Griene-AI, G Delivery, G LMS, or our latest offering, Ticket-EL, our focus is on blending cutting-edge technology with the practical realities of Zambian businesses,” Green notes.

AI, for instance, isn’t just a buzzword in his playbook. It’s a critical tool for driving smarter decisions, automating workflows, and reducing inefficiencies—a particularly valuable proposition in Africa, where resource optimization is crucial.

“AI is set to transform business growth by offering insights that drive smarter decisions, automating routine tasks, and reducing operational inefficiencies,” he says.

Scaling Against the Odds

Tech entrepreneurs in Africa often battle infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory quagmires, and investor hesitancy. Green has faced all three. Yet, his strategy has been equal parts ingenuity and grit.

By forming strategic industry partnerships and aligning with government policies aimed at fostering innovation, Griene Tech-Fix has not just survived but expanded. Today, it stands as a 100% Zambian-owned company making strides in AI, IoT, and digital property management.

“Scaling locally comes with its unique challenges—from infrastructural hurdles to navigating regulatory landscapes. However, by forging strategic industry partnerships and leveraging supportive government policies, we have managed to overcome many obstacles,” he explains.

And the results speak for themselves. What started as a passion project is now an industry force, earning national recognition and positioning itself as a serious player in Africa’s digital economy.

Indeed, Green’s vision extends beyond mere profit. He sees AI, blockchain, and IoT as tools for societal transformation, not just corporate enhancement. Notably, his focus on AI’s potential to “facilitate better investment decisions and open new avenues for sustainable development” underscores his commitment to Africa’s broader progress.

Looking Ahead: A Digital Africa

Green isn’t just thinking about today; his ambitions extend far beyond.

“Looking ahead over the next 5–10 years, I see Africa emerging as a major hub for technological innovation,” he predicts.

Ultimately, he isn’t just a tech entrepreneur; he’s a digital prophet, a man driven by a profound belief in technology’s power to elevate his nation and his continent. “My goal is to mentor the next generation of innovators and play a significant role in shaping Africa’s tech landscape over the next 5–10 years—driving policies, fostering investments, and nurturing an ecosystem where technology elevates the quality of life for all,” he reflects. In other words, he’s rewriting the code, not just for his company, but for the future of Africa itself.

His vision is clear: to mentor the next generation of tech entrepreneurs, push the boundaries of what’s possible, and ensure that Zambia isn’t just participating in the global digital economy, but shaping it.

That mission isn’t just about business; it’s personal. Between 2012 and 2015, Green found himself in one of the darkest periods of his life, losing his connection to faith, which had been a guiding force since childhood. The setback affected both his personal and professional life.

“Between 2012 and 2015, I experienced one of the most challenging periods of my life when I lost my connection with Jesus—a loss that deeply affected both my personal and professional life. However, after much introspection, I reconnected with my faith. In 2015, I joined Glorious Family Church, and I continue to serve God and His people as the head of the Media Department,” he shares.

This renewal fueled not just his spiritual journey but his business philosophy: purpose-driven innovation.

Green Ngwira’s rise isn’t just about building a company; it’s about redefining what’s possible in Zambia’s digital ecosystem. With Griene Tech-Fix, he’s proving that innovation doesn’t need Silicon Valley credentials to succeed. It needs vision, resilience, and an unshakable belief in the future.

For Zambia’s digital economy, that future is already being written—one bold idea at a time.

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