At the helm of Kuma Consulting Engineers, Kuda Nyabadza blends technical precision, entrepreneurial drive, and a deep commitment to social impact.
As founder and CEO, she leads one of southern Africa’s most prominent Black female‑owned engineering consultancies—reshaping infrastructure across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and beyond.
Kuda’s career began with a childhood influenced by her father, a land surveyor.
Following her degree in civil engineering from the National University of Science and Technology and a Master’s in Project Management from the University of Pretoria, she spent over a decade honing her leadership in consulting roles before launching Kuma in 2015.
Under her stewardship, Kuma Consulting Engineers has grown to annual revenues exceeding US$20 million, delivering multidisciplinary services across rail, highways, bridges, energy, environment, and architectural design.
Kuda emphasises high performance through accountability, innovation, and program management excellence.
The company’s early years were marked by rapid growth followed by a downturn in 2017–2018 when Kuda and her team struggled with the demands of scaling.
Rejecting setbacks, they refined their focus, diversified offerings, and emerged stronger—rebounding to record turnover through strategic leadership and operational integrity.
Kuda’s vision extends well beyond bottom lines.
As founder of the Kuma Foundation, she channels company profits into philanthropy—supporting disadvantaged schools in Zimbabwe and South Africa with solar installations, educational materials, and capacity building.
“Education is vital,” she says, believing that empowering youth with knowledge offers the most lasting return on investment.
In an industry steeped in male dominance, Kuda views her gender as a strategic advantage. She entered university with one A-level point less than the male cutoff and still rose rapidly through merit-based promotions and contract wins.
Her leadership philosophy emphasises service: “True leadership entails fostering growth in those around us.”
Kuda is exploring expansion into Asian and European markets while working toward a doctoral degree in business administration from the University of Northampton.
Yet her definition of impact remains grounded: serving the nearly 200 people directly entrusted to her leadership, helping them realise their potential and effect change in their communities.
With Kuma Consulting Engineers, Kuda Nyabadza is navigating the intersection of infrastructure, innovation, and inclusion.
Her journey from Bulawayo to boardrooms across southern Africa is a testament to resilience, vision, and service. She is proof that engineering greatness can—and should—be matched by transformative leadership and social purpose.
In Kuda’s hands, infrastructure is more than concrete and steel—it is access, empowerment, and the foundation for future generations of African changemakers.
Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
