ZSE Holdings (ZSEH) chairperson Caroline Sandura says entrepreneurs will be at the centre of Zimbabwe's economic transformation, with the newly launched Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX) providing a platform to link businesses with investors, regulators and development partners to unlock new sources of capital.
For years, access to affordable funding has remained one of the biggest constraints facing SMEs, with many businesses unable to secure capital from traditional lenders due to limited collateral, weak financial records and informal operating structures.
Although the sector contributes 60% of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product, many businesses continue to rely on personal savings, informal borrowing or expensive short-term loans to finance growth.
Official statistics show that Zimbabweans are increasingly pawning everyday household goods to secure loans, with registrations at the Collateral Registry more than doubling to 5 908 last year from 2 549 in 2024.
Active loan clients in the microfinance sector declined sharply to 422 358 last year from 575 217 in the prior year, according to the 2026 Monetary Policy Statement.
For women, the figure fell to 183 178 from 263 484 in 2024.
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These declines point to narrowing access to small-scale credit.
Sandura said ZEEX seeks to create an integrated marketplace where entrepreneurs are linked with investors seeking opportunities, while sponsoring brokers, accountants, lawyers, regulators and other market participants help businesses become investment-ready.
The platform shifts the focus from financing based largely on physical assets towards funding businesses with viable ideas, sound governance, strong cash flows and growth potential.
“Today’s launch is about entrepreneurs building businesses from the ground up, investors searching for the next opportunity, regulators shaping the environment in which enterprises can thrive and partners working together, because Zimbabwe's future rests on the success of its small enterprises and growing businesses,” Sandura said during the launch last week in Bulawayo.
Unlike traditional financing, ZEEX allows businesses to choose funding structures that best suit their needs.
Companies seeking long-term growth capital can raise equity by selling a stake in their business to investors without taking on loan repayments.
Those that prefer borrowing can issue debt securities, allowing investors to lend money under agreed repayment terms.
Businesses experiencing cash-flow constraints can also access invoice discounting, enabling them to receive immediate funding against unpaid invoices instead of waiting weeks or months for customers to settle outstanding bills.
ZSE Holdings chief executive officer Justin Bgoni said ZEEX was created to encourage SMEs to formalise operations, improve governance and become more attractive to investors. “We know that most SMEs in Zimbabwe operate informally. One of the biggest reasons is that there has been little incentive to formalise,” Bgoni said.
“Through ZEEX, businesses seeking funding will need to formalise, register for taxes, maintain bank accounts and adopt proper governance structures. That creates an ecosystem where both entrepreneurs and investors have confidence.”
He said the platform was more than a conventional exchange, describing it as a technology-driven marketplace enabling businesses to access customised financing solutions.
Businesses can raise capital privately without immediately listing publicly, while those that progress to public markets will benefit from advanced digital infrastructure featuring instant or atomic settlement, allowing investors to receive shares and sellers to receive payment immediately after transactions.
Among the platform’s flagship innovations is an invoice discounting marketplace, designed to improve working capital for SMEs supplying larger companies.
“This product changes the way SMEs access working capital, because financiers are effectively financing the creditworthiness of large companies rather than the SME itself,” Bgoni said, noting that similar models have delivered positive results in countries such as India.
The exchange has also introduced a collateral holding company that enables entrepreneurs to use a single property as security for funding from multiple investors, making property-backed financing more accessible and efficient.
Bgoni said ZEEX provides a clear growth pathway for businesses, beginning with invoice discounting, progressing to private capital raising and eventually qualifying for public listing as enterprises mature and build credible financial records.
To support that journey, the exchange has already established partnerships with financial institutions, asset managers, legal practitioners, accountants, technology providers and Bulawayo City Council to provide funding, due diligence, training, and nationwide outreach.
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe, the country’s asset management industry recorded a 26% increase in total funds under management to ZiG123,77 billion during the first quarter of 2026, including US$3,34 billion in foreign currency-denominated funds.
This shows the potential level of support that SMEs who register with ZEEX could access.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said ZEEX complemented existing government initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs.
This includes the Women Development Fund, Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation, while encouraging stronger business practices.
“The establishment of ZEEX provides an additional incentive for entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses, strengthen corporate governance, maintain credible financial records and adopt sound business management practices that inspire investor confidence,” Mutsvangwa said.
She said the government remained committed to creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment that allows entrepreneurs to thrive, adding that stronger SMEs would create employment, promote value addition and increase exports in support of Vision 2030.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Judith Ncube said launching ZEEX in Bulawayo demonstrated efforts to decentralise economic opportunities.
“ZEEX provides renewed hope for our youth, women entrepreneurs, innovators and the growing SME sector,” she said.
“It offers structured financing opportunities that will enable businesses to formalise, expand operations, create employment and contribute more significantly to national economic growth.”
Ncube pledged her office’s support in working with financial institutions, local authorities and development partners to ensure entrepreneurs across the province understand, and benefit from the new platform.
So, ZEEX now has institutional support from an industry with billions of United States dollars, as well as government backing — how much does your business need?