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Wiremit Transfer: Brian Manyau’s Mission to Simplify Global Money Transfers

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Brian Manyau’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to his passion for problem-solving and his commitment to making a meaningful impact. As the co-founder of Wiremit Transfer, a cutting-edge remittance platform, Manyau is transforming the way people send and receive money across borders.

Manyau’s inspiration for starting Wiremit Transfer stems from his own experiences with the inefficiencies of traditional remittance systems.

“We saw the struggles our diaspora had in sending money home through official channels and the inefficiencies that existed in the market,” he explains. “Our aim is to ensure the ease of accessibility of remittances in the country.”

Since its inception in November 2022, Wiremit Transfer has made significant strides in the remittance industry. The company received its Tier One license from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in August 2023 and has developed a robust platform that integrates with a partner core system from Remit One in the UK.

So, what sets Wiremit Transfer apart from other money transfer services?

According to Manyau, it’s the company’s agility, speed, and security. “Our rates are the best in the market,” he adds.

“We’re growing into a comprehensive financial services platform, and our mission is to add value for our diaspora, who are dedicated to sending money home to support families and establish businesses.”

Entrepreneurial Journey

Manyau’s passion for entrepreneurship was instilled in him from a young age. “My parents, especially my mother, taught us to sell from a very young age,” he recalls. “I was already involved in business as early as grade 4. I had an account for all the soft beverage and freezit sales.”

However, his entrepreneurial journey has not been without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles he faced was gaining buy-in from the diaspora community. “As a business based in Zimbabwe and serving the diaspora, we had a slower uptake of our offering,” he admits. “However, I’m glad that some early adopters were able to send feedback to others that Wiremit had a homegrown solution to meet their remittance needs.”

Additionally, Manyau has had to navigate the challenges of building a team. “I believe there is a particular caliber of staff that a startup requires for it to scale,” he notes. “We had misfits in our hiring—team members of questionable integrity—which led us to refine our hiring process.”

Despite these challenges, Manyau remains committed to his vision of creating a seamless and efficient remittance platform.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to specialize in an area they’re passionate about and to master their craft. “Be so good you can’t be ignored,” he says.

For Manyau, success is not just about achieving milestones but about making a meaningful impact.

“Success, in my view, is the impact one’s intervention makes on a process, people, or the broader environment,” he explains. “I believe in impact that matters. Products that leave users and consumers in a better state.”

Powering Growth Through Strategic Partnerships

At the heart of Wiremit’s mission is growth through collaboration and strategic partnerships. Manyau highlights the company’s partnership with Obsidian Achernar as a key example of this approach.

“Our partnership with Obsidian Achernar began during our initial licensing phase three years ago, and it’s been rewarding to witness the growth of both our organizations as we continue to make strides in the African market. We look forward to what we can achieve together.”

Wiremit Transfer has also been making waves in the UK, with a recent launch following the granting of its PSD UK remittance license in the last quarter of 2023.

“As 2023 draws to a close, we are filled with a deep sense of anticipation for the promising future that lies before us,” Manyau reflected in a post last year. “With great joy and excitement, we proudly announce the granting of WIREMIT’s PSD UK remittance license. This significant achievement stands as a testament to our dedication and tireless efforts.”

The company’s international remittance platform was unveiled to the world on the final day of 2023, marking a major milestone in Wiremit’s journey.

To celebrate its UK launch, Wiremit hosted giveaways worth over £50,000 at Zimfest 2024, including free transfer vouchers, exclusive festival merchandise, and tech gadgets.

Looking to the Future

As for what’s next for Wiremit Transfer, Manyau is excited to share that the company is evolving into a fully-fledged financial services entity. “Our goal is to become a pan-African financial services provider,” he reveals. “We have partnered with renowned tech firms to help us build a robust core system that will be accessible in multiple jurisdictions while providing tailored, seamless service to users.”

Manyau’s Educational and Professional Journey

Brian Manyau’s educational journey began at St. Augustine’s High School in Penhalonga, where he completed his Advanced Level studies in Mathematics and Computer Science from 1998 to 2003.

He then pursued a career in accounting, obtaining a full ACCA qualification in Accounting and Finance from 2004 to 2007.

Manyau’s professional journey spans over a decade, with experience in various roles across different industries. He began his career as an Operations Manager at NMB Bank Limited Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2012.

He then co-founded Lambano Foods, a food processing company, where he served as the Manager of Accounting and Admin from 2012 to 2015.

Manyau continued to build his expertise in the financial sector, serving as a Credit Analyst at NMB Bank Limited Zimbabwe from 2015 to 2017. He then took on the role of Manager – Service Excellence at the same institution from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, he was promoted to Branch Manager, a position he held until 2022.

In addition to his professional experience, Manyau has also pursued further education to enhance his skills. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Strategic Management from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University from 2017 to 2018.

Today, Manyau is the Group Chief Operating Officer at Wiremit.

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