In the world of retail technology, Massmart Africa CTO Nicole Harris stands out as a beacon of inspiration. From a fast-tracked academic career to embracing motherhood at a young age, Nicole’s resilience, determination, and a deep-rooted faith have resulted in her ability to connect with people, empathise, and still get the job done.
Humility and a deep-rooted faith are two of the cornerstones that have shaped Nicole’s leadership style. Her vision as CTO of the four different brands within Massmart Africa, namely Game, Makro, Builders Warehouse and Cash & Carry, is to use technology to strengthen the business.
“I lead a local team of 378 technologists managing a predominantly SAP-driven tech landscape. My primary objective right now is to consolidate this SAP environment to unlock value and empower the business through technology,” she explains.
Nicole adds that Massmart, wholly owned by Walmart, has 300-odd stores in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her team, however, is divided into two locations, one in South Africa and the second team focused on engineering sites in India.
”Together we architect, secure the solutions by design, engineer and implement full retail and omni channels solutions,” she says.
Achieving more with less
Nicole collaborates closely with her colleagues, who share similar responsibilities, across Africa and other continents. She notes that in Africa, tech professionals often encounter distinct challenges. However, this doesn't diminish the efforts of her counterparts abroad. Instead, she highlights how African executives frequently achieve more with fewer resources.
“Technologists in other regions tend to have a more streamlined approach,” she explains. “Software as a Service (SaaS) is widely adopted outside of Africa, while locally, there is a strong drive to move to the cloud. However, financial constraints often limit this ambition. As a result, local tech executives must be more innovative and detail-oriented.”
“The scope of my work differs from that of my colleagues on other continents, as does the level of detail I engage in. I can quickly provide specifics about constraints, budget realities, infrastructure, and network connectivity. In contrast, colleagues abroad may focus more on strategy, without needing to delve into the tactical aspects,” she adds.
Nicole recognises that this emphasis on tactical execution can sometimes constrain strategic capacity in Africa. However, she believes that fostering closer alignment between local and global technologists could create mutual benefits, particularly in accelerating the adoption of next-generation technologies.
“Simply put, we empower the business, they come up with awesome ideas such as mini-Makros and ‘we’ the technology team take our knowledge of the customer offering and the kind of experience we envisage for the customers in the mini-Makros and provide the business with the technology that complements that,” she says. “Looking at the technology currently in hand and incorporating into those mini-Makros or introducing new things or bespoke solutions that will be tested over time – sticking to our brand ethos of being people-led and a technology-empowered organisation.”
“The people do the thinking; imagine the art of the possible and my role is to determine if that imagination yields valuable results, then I work on getting the technology activated,” she highlights.
Resilience and determination
Nicole’s story is one of resilience and determination, shaped by growing up in a challenging environment during the 1980s. Despite becoming a mom at a young age, she was determined to carve a different path for herself.
“It’s those circumstances that fuel your drive to succeed,” Nicole reflects. “I was raised by a single mother whose strong work ethic inspired me to work hard as well.”
As the middle child, she often found herself striving for attention, which, she believes, cultivated a deep sense of ambition. Excelling academically, Nicole advanced through school more quickly than her peers.
However, an accelerated academic journey, while impressive on paper, brought its own difficulties.
“Your intellect doesn’t always match your emotional maturity,” she explains. “I was often surrounded by older students, which added pressure and led to my own missteps, like becoming a mother at a young age.”
Yet, Nicole did not let these challenges define her. What might have seemed like a setback became the driving force behind her tenacity and relentless pursuit of success.
“I knew I had to succeed, no matter what. When others left the office at 4pm, I stayed until 6pm. If I was assigned a task, I completed it in half the time – that was my approach,” she says.
Support and empathy
Through this journey, Nicole also learnt the value of humility. Initially, she approached life with a sense of urgency and toughness, but later realised that humility, not abrasiveness, was her true strength.
“That humility has opened many doors for leadership opportunities,” she says. “It allowed me to connect with people, empathise, and still get the job done. Another key part of my leadership comes from my faith – I’m deeply guided by my belief in the Lord.”
Nicole’s personal experience has also motivated her to give back. She actively participates in speaking engagements, inspiring young people to take control of their lives and decisions, equipping them with tools to navigate challenges.
In the workplace, she is equally intentional about supporting others.“I hold regular listening sessions with employees, from head office to the shop floor,” she says. “The goal is to understand their realities and experiences, and to offer support where it’s needed.”
Whether in public speaking or internal dialogues, Nicole is committed to using her voice where it can have an impact. Yet, amid her busy schedule, she also prioritises recharging through self-care.
“I’ve mastered the art of rest,” she said with a smile. “Time is as precious to me as my family, and I allocate it wisely.”
While she’s tried activities like golf and running, Nicole ultimately found that what works best for her is what truly helps her refuel. "In the end, it’s about doing what replenishes my energy," she concludes.
