Manuel is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in engineering, development finance and global leadership. A Zimbabwean by nationality, he began his career as an engineer before transitioning to finance at the Zimbabwe Development Bank (ZDB), where he oversaw initiatives that addressed financial barriers to growth and diversified Zimbabwe’s agricultural base.

At the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, Manuel facilitated over USD 1 billion in trade and project finance, revitalizing key sectors such as cotton farming. His career further advanced at the Eastern and Southern African Trade Development Bank (TDB), where he helped establish ATIDI’s structure and supported significant projects like Kenya’s Bamburi Cement and Zimbabwe’s now-defunct ZISCO Steel. At the International Finance Corporation (IFC), he assisted in the expansion of its portfolio in Africa, growing it from USD 200 million to USD1 billion and financing impactful initiatives like Kenya’s Kipeto Wind Farm.

As CEO of ATIDI since 2021, Manuel focuses on enhancing the organization’s reputation and delivering innovative financial solutions that benefit millions, including empowering Africa’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).