This month saw the creation of Zimbabwe’s first dedicated web design house- Cyberplex Africa. Located at kopje Plaza (6th Floor). Cyberplex Africa brings a professional face to the web design industry.

From Cyberplex Africa:

Although Cyberplex Africa was started in 1999, its roots go back to the frontier days of the Internet in Africa. In 1994, fellow MIT graduates Karanja Gakio and Roy Steiner and current directors of Cyberplex developed the idea and original business plan for Africa Online, now the most widespread Internet Service Provider in Africa.

In March of 1999 Cyberplex Africa began operations with the goal of creating a world-class web development company that would contribute to Africa’s place on the Net. The name was inspired by Cyberplex Interactive Media in North America - a company set up by two of Roy’s friends in Canada, Vern Lobo and Dean Hopkins.

The company started operations with a staff of just 5 people including Dudzai Saburi, Ravi Palepu and Tendai Jambga. By August it had expanded to an office of 10 people with a portfolio of 12 blue chip clients. Like many startups, its viability came into question several times - but the company continued to grow despite the hi-tech downturn in the rest of the world. Cyberplex Africa’s revenues doubled in almost every quarter in its first two years of operation.

The company is currently structured as a Holdings company in Botswana which owns the majority stake in all of its subsidiaries - Cyberplex Africa Zimbabwe, Cyberplex Africa Botswana, Cyberplex Africa South Africa, QuickPay and AllZimbabwe.com.

35% of its Zimbabwe operations are owned by a local educational trust, ensuring that the company plays a positive role in the development of African online education.