Rufaro Manikai, co-founder of Agile Edge Consultancy, is at the helm of a company focused on helping both emerging and struggling entrepreneurs to not only find their feet in the business world but to also put in place proper administrative structures that will help them to spread their wings and grow.
Agile-Edge Consultancy – an organizational transformation agency – is an expert in guiding businesses through the process of identifying their needs, developing strategies and implementing effective and purposeful changes.
The consultancy also assists businesses in the area of people management and development with the goal of helping clients to positively transform their brand narratives and uncover new opportunities for optimization.
“We excel in fostering customer-focused cultures and providing executive and employee transformation training. Our key specializations are brand strategy, brand management, training and development as well as people and talent management,” explains Rufaro.
“My role involves helping businesses through the process of identifying their needs, as well as developing strategies and campaigns. With almost a decade in brand management I excel in fostering customer-focused cultures and providing executive and employee transformation training.”
Launched in 2023, Agile Edge Consultancy is the highlight of an entrepreneurial journey that has so far seen Rufaro dabbling in the Zimbabwean hospitality, brand awareness and media spaces.
“My journey into business began at the age of 25, after just a year and a half in formal employment. I started by curating unique food experiences, collaborating with some of Zimbabwe’s emerging and seasoned chefs to create pop-up fine dining events—the first of their kind at the time. From 2016 to 2019, I successfully ran these ventures while also working in formal employment in brand management.
“In 2019, I transitioned into the branding and media space through a partnership, where I successfully managed and grew the business until 2024. I then stepped away to fully focus on my consultancy journey, which I had launched last year and continue to develop to date.”
While growing up, Rufaro admits she had no intentions to explore entrepreneurship or to understand any aspect of running a business.
“I was raised in a traditional environment where the focus was on attaining a qualification in a specific field, with little consideration for the possibility of running my own business.”
Rufaro attended Ridgeview Primary School in Harare before proceeding to Lomagundi College where she performed well throughout all six years, eventually passing her A Levels with flying colours in 2008.
However, living and studying in Switzerland and South Africa between 2009 and 2014 not only broadened her perspective in life but also made her consider entrepreneurship as a career.
“I managed to attain a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University, earned through the Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM) in Montreux, Switzerland.
“Additionally I have two degrees specializing in Hospitality Management: one from The International Hotel School in South Africa and another in Business Administration via Northwood University. It was only later in life, after completing my studies and returning to Zimbabwe, that this entrepreneurial path was unlocked for me.”
Like many entrepreneurs operating in Zimbabwe, Rufaro is well aware of the economic challenges associated with keeping a business afloat – let alone establishing it into a successful brand that is capable of holding its own in the consultancy space.
Yet, her desire to succeed, coupled by a strong determination to leave a legacy as a successful entrepreneur – who rewrote the narrative by proving that women are also capable to leaving their mark in business has – has become the driving force that propels her.
“The business was launched during a challenging economic period. However, our primary focus for 2024 has been on building brand awareness. As a result, we did not face significant setbacks. Instead, we concentrated on creating visibility and forming strategic partnerships, both of which have been successfully achieved.”
Rufaro says forging relationships and strategic partnerships outside Zimbabwe to achieve strategic collaborations with other players in the African region is one of Agile Edge Consultancy’s long term goals.
With just two employees for now, is there room for expansion?
“If it is strategic indeed. However, we believe more in working with other experts through partnerships rather than focusing solely on creating employment.
Rufaro’s dreams for Agile Edge Consultancy are colossal: “Our expansion goals are to grow our business footprint beyond Zimbabwe by identifying key strategic collaborations, forging impactful partnerships, cultivating potential client growth, and seizing new business opportunities across the African region.”