From coding on a self-built computer in Zimbabwe to building financial tools at Bloomberg, Kudzai Gopfa’s journey is a blueprint for resilience, innovation, and impact.
In this exclusive conversation with Techbuild Africa, he shares his growth from a self-taught developer to a globally recognised engineer shaping the future of technology.
Techbuild Africa: What inspired you to pursue a career in software engineering, and what keeps you passionate about it?
Kudzai Gopfa: Growing up in Zimbabwe, access to technology was limited, but I was always curious about how things worked. I taught myself to code using PDF tutorials and YouTube videos, before I built a custom computer. That curiosity led me to build a social network app while still in university.
Techbuild Africa: What challenges did you face as a young software engineer in Africa?
Kudzai Gopfa: Access was the biggest one—both to tools and mentorship. I didn’t have a powerful laptop, so I used a makeshift desktop I built from spare parts. I also had to prove myself a lot because I didn’t come from a traditional tech background. But I put my work out there—on GitHub, in open-source projects, and through contributions that solved real problems. That helped me land roles at companies like Nintex and later Bloomberg.
Techbuild Africa: What makes a great software engineer, in your opinion?
Kudzai Gopfa: Curiosity, consistency, and the ability to collaborate. Curiosity keeps you learning. Consistency gets you through the tough days. And collaboration ensures your work actually ships and solves problems. I’ve seen the best engineers thrive not just on their own code but in how well they work with others to get things done.
Techbuild Africa: What tools or technologies have been most influential in your work?
Kudzai Gopfa: Python and Kafka for backend systems. React and TypeScript for frontends. Docker has made deployments way smoother. I also use GitHub Copilot with caution—it speeds up repetitive tasks but you still need strong fundamentals. I’ve also leaned heavily into data pipelines and distributed systems lately—tools that help you scale without breaking things.
Techbuild Africa: How do you balance building fast with writing quality code?
Kudzai Gopfa: I keep code modular. That way, you can move fast, make changes, and avoid bugs. I document just enough so any engineer can pick up where I left off. But more than anything, I talk to other engineers and product leads early. It saves time in the long run.
Techbuild Africa: You’ve been active in mentoring. What drives that, and what’s your vision for it?
Kudzai Gopfa: I didn’t have access to mentors when I started. That’s why I give back through lectures at the University of Zimbabwe, volunteering with Utiva, and hosting tech education sessions. I want to scale that by building a mentorship platform across Africa, helping devs get unstuck, build portfolios, and land jobs. It’s not just about teaching code, it’s about opening doors.
Techbuild Africa: You’re currently building a startup. Tell us about it.
Kudzai Gopfa: It’s called Explora. It uses AI to help people create illustrative videos without needing to write code. Think of it as a no-code storytelling engine. We’re focusing on educators, content creators, and marketers. The idea is to remove the technical friction so more people can communicate complex ideas visually.
Techbuild Africa: What’s your vision for tech in Africa?
Kudzai Gopfa: We need to build for our own context. We face challenges that Silicon Valley doesn’t—unstable networks, lack of infrastructure, affordability. But we also have the talent. My vision is to see more African engineers solving African problems at scale—across fintech, healthcare, and education.
Techbuild Africa: Finally, what advice do you have for young African developers starting out?
Kudzai Gopfa: I will advise you to follow these steps: start by learning one language deeply, build things that solve real problems,even simple ones, push your code to GitHub, join communities. Ask questions, and stay consistent. You’re one project away from changing your life.
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