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Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
BULAWAYO-based Genesys Corporation is championing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the physical and digital systems that support urban life to improve efficiency, sustainability and quality of life.
The company was founded in 2022 by a team of experienced AI and cyber security experts to help businesses harness the power of AI to improve their security posture.
In Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa Region, it has become a leading provider of AI and cyber security solutions, assisting businesses in assessing their security risks, developing security plans and implementing security controls.
Spearheading the ship, the corporation’s chief executive officer, Mr Louis John Herbst, said they were assisting businesses to enhance their security posture and protect themselves from threats.
“Genesys Corporation was born from my conviction that Africa’s future lies in harnessing technology, innovation and strategic partnerships to solve everyday challenges.
“From AI-driven smart infrastructure to transformative healthcare solutions, Genesys has positioned itself as a bridge between cutting-edge global advancements and the unique needs of African markets,” he said.
The company has also set up the Salutem International Medical Fund that delivers affordable and accessible healthcare to people of all income levels, with the flexibility of international payment integration.
As the new baby, regional general manager, Mr Herbst said their initiatives, such as OneHealth medical protection, retail loyalty medical aid partnerships and micro-medical aid for students and small to medium enterprises (SMEs), were reshaping how healthcare is financed and accessed in Zimbabwe and beyond.
“Our MediMate Plus package combines medical aid cover with a student loan facility, helping bridge the finance gap so students can focus on what matters most, learning.”
Over his career, he has led organisations across industries with a focus on sectoral rehabilitation, innovation, strategy and measurable results.
Mr Herbst said his journey included serving as managing director of BitBags Zimbabwe (2017 to 2023), where they transformed a niche bulk-bag manufacturing company into a respected regional brand.
“I have also held influential positions including the president of Captains of Industry, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Region vice president, National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Arts and Culture Club patron and member of the Business 20 (B20) Task Force (Business Advisory to the Group of Twenty (G20)),” he said.
The G20 members represent around 85 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product, over 75 percent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.
He said academically, his learning has been driven by a combination of formal study and relentless self-education, supported by executive-level business leadership programmes and years of practical experience building scalable enterprises in challenging economic climates.
Mr Herbst said his leadership is anchored in integrity, resilience and adaptive innovation.
“I lead with transparency and an unwavering focus on solutions over obstacles. At Genesys and Salutem, we foster a culture where ideas move quickly from conception to execution, ensuring we maintain our competitive edge.
I empower my teams with ownership while providing a clear vision and steadfast support.”
He said he also believed that leadership in Zimbabwean companies today required a certain clarity of vision, the ability to focus instead on responsibility to contribute to national economic goals.
Mr Herbst said he chooses to see the undeniable signs of growth, development and opportunity that surround them daily.
“Where some see potholes, I see a business opportunity. Where others dwell on constraints, I look for ways to turn them into commercial advantage,” he said.
“I reject the self-inflicted distortion of constant negativity and instead embrace optimism not as naïveté, but as a strategic choice to capitalise on the transformation already underway in our economy.
Yes, there are challenges, but every challenge is an entry point for innovation.”
Mr Herbst said their immediate goal was to establish Salutem as the go-to healthcare solution for individuals, corporates and institutions across Southern Africa.
He said that means expanding their subscriber base, securing institutional contracts and deploying digital health innovations that reduce costs and enhance service delivery.
“We operate in an environment of limited disposable incomes, volatile currency conditions and infrastructure gaps. Far from being a disadvantage, this is our competitive strength.
We create solutions that thrive in these realities, models that competitors find hard to replicate because they are purpose-built for our context.”
Mr Herbst said he was often told that his strength lay in the ability to see the full chessboard, anticipating market shifts, regulatory changes and partnership opportunities before they appear on the radar.
He said he did not just navigate around barriers, but reframed them as catalysts for innovation.
“When many saw Zimbabwe’s economic instability as a barrier to investment, I identified an opening for alternative healthcare and technology investment models supported by partnerships with Nust, as well as leading AI, robotics and cybersecurity experts. Together, Genesys, Salutem and Nust are positioning themselves as SADC technology trend-setters,” said Mr Herbst.
On leadership lessons, Mr Herbst said building resilience early was critical so that when challenges come, one’s foundation holds.
He said the goal was to lead from the front in risk and reward as well as staying adaptable because success rarely comes in a straight line.
“I have overcome challenges by confronting them head-on, equipped with a plan, a trusted team and a refusal to compromise on quality or ethics.
“I am deeply committed to shaping an Africa and Zimbabwe that competes globally and to proving that with the right vision, partnerships and persistence, transformative change is not only possible, it is inevitable.
Africa’s challenges are not roadblocks — they are the very blueprint for innovation,” he said.
Mr Herbst holds qualifications in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the United Kingdom, as well as a T3 Electrical qualification. He has also pursued informal training in Economics and Business Administration.
His professional background includes work on overground high-speed bullet trains and On Track Plant (OTP) machinery in the rail sector.
His specialisations now include strategic AI innovation and market penetration, robotics, electronics and smart healthcare systems, high-stakes deal negotiation and cross-border partnerships.
Over the years, Mr Herbst has led organisations across various sectors, with a strong focus on industrial rehabilitation, innovation and delivering measurable results.
Online Reporter