Quantitative Research
Rigorous data collection and statistical analysis that quantifies market behaviour, giving you reliable numbers to drive decisions.
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Know Your
World.
Seize the
Future.
For over 33 years, Research Bureau International has delivered rigorous, data-driven market insights to help businesses across Southern Africa make confident strategic decisions —
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Client Satisfaction
About RBI
Committed to
Excellence Since 1989
Research Bureau International's continued success over more than three decades is built on an unwavering commitment to providing timeous, seamless, state-of-the-art service, designed and tailored to meet each client's unique needs, creating lasting partnerships within the research industry.
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Professionalism & Integrity
All aspects of every project from proposal to reporting, are handled in-house by highly trained specialists, ensuring total client confidentiality.
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Digital-First Methodology
RBI has adopted a fully digital market research policy, keeping pace with international trends and delivering accurate data efficiently.
03
Local Expertise, Global Standards
Deep roots in Southern African markets combined with partnerships with institutions like UCSF and NOIC bring world-class standards to every engagement.
Industries We Serve
Research Across Every Sector
FMCG & Retail
Brand tracking, retail audits, shopper insights, and product
performance across modern and traditional trade channels.
Financial Services
Customer satisfaction, product awareness, and market entry
intelligence for banks, insurers, and fintechs.
Telecoms & Tech
Usage and attitude studies, NPS tracking, and technology adoption
research across consumer and enterprise segments.
NGO & Development
Programme evaluation, baseline and endline surveys, KAP studies,
and beneficiary needs assessments for development organisations.
Government & Public Sector
Policy research, citizen satisfaction surveys, and socioeconomic
studies informing evidence-based decision-making.
What We Do
Research Services
Qualitative Research
In-depth exploration of consumer attitudes, motivations, and perceptions uncovering the "why" behind the numbers.
Learn more →Retail & Field Research
On-the-ground intelligence from trade channels, giving you visibility into product performance and distribution realities.
Learn more →Brand & Product Research
Assess brand health, test new concepts, and validate products before launch with methodologies tailored to your category.
Learn more →Customer & Employee Insights
Measure satisfaction, map the customer experience, and understand your workforce to build better relationships inside and out.
Learn more →Strategy & Advisory
Beyond data, we translate insights into strategic action, from brand strategy and culture change to market entry roadmaps.
Learn more →Our Footprint
Present Across Southern Africa
RBI maintains dedicated field research teams in six countries, with strong pan-African research partnerships extending our reach across the continent.
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Zimbabwe
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Botswana
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Malawi
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Zambia
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Mozambique
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Namibia
+ Research partnerships across Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini and more, including collaboration with NOIC and UCSF
How We Work
Our Process
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01
Brief & Proposal
Tell us the business question, not just the research question. We listen carefully, ask the right follow-up questions, and return a proposal shaped around what you need to decide.
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02
Questionnaire Design
We design research instruments built for the African context: appropriate languages, tested question formats, and a length calibrated to your specific audience and method.
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03
Field Execution
Trained field teams operating across our markets, using fully digital data collection. Our CATI centre handles phone-based studies and independent verification. Quality control runs throughout the fieldwork.
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04
Analysis
All analysis is conducted in-house. This is not standard practice in the industry and it matters. The team that ran your fieldwork is the same team making sense of your data. We apply a range of analytical tools to surface meaningful, actionable findings.
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05
Reporting
Clear, direct reports with actionable strategic recommendations. Delivered on time. Presented to your team, in person or remotely. The goal is a document your leadership can read and act on the same day.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked
Can't find what you're looking for? Our team is happy to answer any questions about methodology, timelines, or pricing.
Ask Us Directly
A single-country quantitative study with 300–500 respondents
typically runs 3–4 weeks from approved questionnaire to report
delivery. Qualitative studies are often faster. Multi-country
work adds approximately one week per additional market. You
receive a realistic, binding timeline at proposal stage
RBI has its own offices in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and
Botswana. We run active fieldwork in Namibia, Mozambique,
Angola, Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa
through a vetted partner network. If your market is not
listed,ask us. There is a strong chance we have worked there.
Yes, RBI is a full-service research agency. We have extensive
experience in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies,
and we understand how to leverage the strengths of each to
meet your research objectives. Whether you need robust
statistical data or rich, contextual insights. We are fully
equipped to deliver both methodologies, either independently
or as part of an integrated mixed-methods study. Our in-house
teams include both quantitative data scientists and
experienced qualitative moderators.
Our quality assurance includes real-time GPS tracking of
fieldworkers, back-checks on 15–20% of completed interviews,
automated data validation, and daily field supervision
reports.
Absolutely. All projects are conducted under strict
non-disclosure agreements. Client data, findings, and any
commercially sensitive information are never shared with third
parties. Our full-stack in-house delivery model means fewer
points of data exposure.
Yes,RBI has multilingual field capability across all our
operating markets. We conduct research in Shona, Ndebele,
Chichewa, Nyanja, Bemba, Setswana, Afrikaans, and Portuguese,
among others, ensuring authentic engagement with local
communities.
"Implement a fresh approach to knowledge delivery, focused on solutions, delivered with speed and accuracy, everywhere, every time."
— Research Bureau International
Submit a Research Brief
Tell us what you're trying to find out. The more detail you give us, the more useful our proposal will be. If you'd rather just have a conversation first, call or WhatsApp us directly.
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