The Journey of Emps Roy: From UK Roots to Global Finance

Growing Up Between Two Worlds

The story of Munashe Emperor Roy Mupoto, widely known as Emps Roy, is one shaped by duality. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and raised in the United Kingdom, he grew up with one foot firmly in African heritage and the other in the global environment of Europe. This dual identity would later become one of his greatest strengths.

Like many families in the diaspora, the Mupoto household carried a sense of balance. His Shona heritage emphasized tradition, community, and resilience, while his upbringing in the UK exposed him to modern systems, global perspectives, and entrepreneurial opportunity. Even his name reflects this blend: “Munashe” carrying cultural weight and “Roy” resonating with international familiarity.

From a young age, Roy recognized that his journey would not be confined to one geography or one culture. His experience of navigating two worlds, African and European, gave him the perspective to see gaps and opportunities that others often overlooked. This ability to bridge cultures would later prove vital in building a financial technology solution designed to connect Zimbabwe’s diaspora with its homeland.

Lessons From UK and Zimbabwe

Growing up in the UK gave Roy access to education systems, mentors, and experiences that expanded his worldview. At Stantonbury School and Walton High, he developed discipline and curiosity. Later, he earned a Diploma in Enterprise & Entrepreneurship from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, which further solidified his interest in business.

But his Zimbabwean roots remained central. Summers spent with family in Buhera and Kenzamba grounded him in a cultural identity that no amount of distance could dilute. The stories of resilience, heritage, and ancestral pride shaped his character. They reminded him that while the UK provided tools and opportunities, Zimbabwe gave him purpose and belonging.

This duality created a balance: from Zimbabwe he inherited grit, and from the UK he absorbed global strategy. Together, these lessons formed the foundation of his future mission: to merge cultural identity with global finance, creating systems that both honor heritage and meet international standards.

Early Ventures and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Entrepreneurship was not a late discovery for Emps Roy. Even in his youth, he displayed an instinct for leadership and risk-taking. At just 21 years old, he orchestrated a sold-out Bugzy Malone concert at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, a major feat that proved his ability to plan, market, and deliver at scale.

This event was more than entertainment; it was a demonstration of his natural business instincts. He understood how to mobilize resources, attract attention, and manage complex operations. It also reflected his ability to merge cultural elements with corporate execution, a theme that would reappear in his later ventures.

His early career also included time at SHI International, a global technology solutions provider with billions in annual revenue. There, Roy gained exposure to enterprise strategy, operations, and global markets. The corporate environment provided him with technical skills in sales, compliance, and digital infrastructure. More importantly, it taught him how large systems function, knowledge that would later inform the design of ZimX Finance.

During this period, he also founded Blackmass Enterprises, an umbrella venture that merged cultural initiatives with corporate structure. This was another clear sign of his philosophy: blending heritage with modern systems to create impact.

Launching ZimX Finance

The turning point in Emps Roy’s journey came with the founding of ZimX Finance, his flagship financial technology solution. Inspired by the needs of Zimbabwe’s diaspora and local communities, ZimX was designed as more than a financial product; it was envisioned as an infrastructure for trust.

At the core of ZimX lies the ZiGX Token, a reserve-backed token pegged to secure assets like USDC. Unlike speculative coins, ZiGX was built to provide stability, transparency, and usability. With third-party audits and multi-signature treasury governance, ZiGX was intentionally designed to solve the trust deficit that has plagued many financial systems in Zimbabwe.

But ZimX is more than ZiGX. It includes:

• ZimXWallet: Accessible via smartphone app or USSD codes, ensuring inclusion for both urban and rural communities.
  
• ZimXPay: A platform for SMEs and merchants to integrate digital payments seamlessly.
  
• Cross-Border Rails: Infrastructure tailored for diaspora remittances, making transfers faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
  

By combining these elements, Emps Roy created an ecosystem rather than a single service. This holistic approach reflects his empire-building philosophy: lasting impact requires systems, not just products.

What makes ZimX particularly powerful is its alignment with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030. By focusing on financial inclusion, transparency, and global competitiveness, ZimX contributes directly to national development goals while also serving global diaspora communities.

Global Vision With African Roots

What distinguishes Emps Roy from many entrepreneurs is his ability to combine a global outlook with a deeply rooted African identity. His time in the UK exposed him to corporate systems, global investors, and enterprise-scale thinking. His Zimbabwean roots gave him a mission: to build something that matters for his people, not just for profit.

This global-local balance shapes his leadership style. On one hand, he speaks the language of international finance, audits, and compliance. On the other, he draws symbolism from African history, such as the legacy of Great Zimbabwe and the Monomotapa kings. For him, technology and heritage are not opposites but partners in progress.

This vision extends beyond Zimbabwe. By building ZimX as a model of an inclusive digital asset ecosystem, Emps Roy positions his work as a blueprint for Africa’s future. He demonstrates that African-led innovation can compete globally while remaining authentic to its cultural roots.

As the fintech industry in Africa grows at a record pace, Emps Roy is emerging as a voice of continuity: a builder who sees the past not as a burden but as an asset. His work suggests that the future of African finance will be shaped by leaders who understand both blockchain code and ancestral lineage.

FAQs

Who is Emps Roy?
Emps Roy, born Munashe Emperor Roy Mupoto, is a British-Zimbabwean entrepreneur and founder of ZimX Finance, a financial technology solution designed to provide reserve-backed digital value, remittance solutions, and financial inclusion.

What is his background?
Roy was born in Zimbabwe and raised in the UK, where he studied entrepreneurship and gained corporate experience at SHI International. He later founded Blackmass Enterprises and launched ZimX Finance. His background combines cultural heritage, entrepreneurial ventures, and corporate strategy.

How did UK life shape his fintech vision?
UK life exposed Emps Roy to structured corporate systems, international finance, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. This global exposure, combined with his Zimbabwean roots, inspired him to design ZimX as a system that blends global compliance with African identity.

A Biography Written in Two Worlds

The biography of Emps Roy cannot be told from one place alone. It is a story that spans Harare and Milton Keynes, ancestral traditions and corporate boardrooms, and cultural instincts and financial systems. His journey reflects the power of dual identity and how navigating two worlds can create a vision strong enough to impact both.

From selling out concerts to designing financial technology solutions, and from learning corporate structures to reimagining remittance corridors, Emps Roy has consistently demonstrated one trait: the ability to build. His current chapter with ZimX Finance is not just about fintech but about legacy, creating structures that endure, connect, and empower.

In doing so, he reminds us that the most powerful entrepreneurs are those who build with both memory and foresight. For Emps Roy, the journey from UK roots to global finance is not only personal but symbolic: proof that Africa’s next generation of builders can be both global in reach and deeply local in purpose.