“As Verbosec continues to grow, my role is evolving from hands-on management to a more strategic leadership focus,” says Randall Newman, CEO of Verbosec. “I am now focused on scaling the business, entering new markets, and leading our AI development.”
In an interview with Business Weekly & Review, Newman shared his ambition to position Verbosec as a global leader in AI innovation, not just in Africa, but across the world.
“AI is at the heart of everything we do,” says Newman. Verbosec’s Nexus AI platform leverages advanced models from OpenAI, through our partnership with Microsoft, to power tools for chat, writing, media creation, analytics, and code generation. Whether you’re building a voice recorder, analysing data, or writing a report, every feature is designed to help users get more work done—faster and more efficiently.”
Newman says investing in talent and nurturing the next generation of AI innovators in Botswana is central to that mission.
“My leadership style is shaped by both my education and experiences,” he says. “Earning a degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership from Sheffield Hallam University gave me a strong foundation in strategy and innovation. But it’s also the people around me—and the lessons I’ve learned along the way—that continue to influence how I lead.”
“Working with my twin brother Henry, the Verbosec team, and leaning on my faith in God have been steady pillars for me,” he adds. “I also make time to reflect and keep sight of the bigger picture. It’s easy to get lost in the stress, but I always remind myself why we started: to build something that truly makes life better for people. That purpose is what keeps me going, even when the pressure is high.”
Despite its current momentum, Newman admits the company’s journey hasn’t always been smooth.
“To be honest, Verbosec hasn’t grown at the pace I would have liked,” he says. “We’ve faced real challenges that, at times, pulled us away from our core vision. But we’ve emerged more focused than ever. From day one, our mission has been simple: to use technology to solve real problems and uplift people and businesses.”
That mission, he says, drove him and his brother to launch Verbosec in 2019. In late 2024, the company pivoted toward AI with the launch of Nexus AI—a platform designed to deliver real-world value to everyday users.
“We’ve seen students using it for academic writing, game developers creating content, non-profits improving communications, and even Deloitte analysts leveraging it for research,” says Newman. “Our mission is now clearer: to bridge the digital divide and make AI tools truly accessible—not just in Botswana, but around the world.”
Newman recalls that in the early days, success simply meant building something and finding users.
“That’s how I defined success at times,” he says. “We were bootstrapping, figuring things out as we went. But over time, success evolved. It became about scaling, building something sustainable, growing our user base, driving efficiency for clients, and delivering real business outcomes.”
Today, Newman says success is about something bigger: “It’s about putting Botswana on the global AI map, creating jobs, and driving Africa’s digital transformation.”
“At Verbosec, we don’t build technology for its own sake,” he says. “What sets us apart is our deep understanding of our environment and the real needs of our people. Nexus AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s designed specifically with our region in mind.”
Newman adds that their work with companies such as Debswana, Pelican Moving Company, Acute Global, Meizu, Stork Fort Holdings, The Dialogue Group, and others has shaped their understanding of what businesses in Botswana truly need.
“We focus on simplicity, practicality, and real impact,” he says. “Whether you’re a small business or a corporate giant, Nexus AI is designed to be both easy to use and highly effective.”
