Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) has launched the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX), a new platform designed to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) raise capital to expand their businesses.
The exchange provides an alternative funding market for MSMEs, addressing one of the sector’s biggest constraints—limited access to affordable finance.
The launch is also expected to encourage the formalisation of small businesses, enabling them to access structured financing while supporting enterprise growth.
Zimbabwe Chamber of SMEs Secretary General Mr Venacio Kurauone said the platform addresses a longstanding financing gap.
“Viable, promising businesses have been left to rely on informal financing, which is also expensive. It is this gap that the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange seeks to close. If you are formalised, you get access to capital. That is a very important incentive.”
Government says ZEEX will broaden financing opportunities for entrepreneurs while strengthening the contribution of MSMEs to the national economy.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Judith Ncube said small businesses remain central to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
“SMEs are literally the heartbeat of our economy. The number of individuals who benefit from SMEs is huge. This is where it gets exciting in leaving no one and no place behind.”
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the platform has been designed to benefit entrepreneurs in both urban and rural areas.
“This will be an all-inclusive platform which brings all SMEs on board, whether they are in urban or rural areas. This is what we mean through the Government mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.”
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the initiative complements Government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for small businesses.
“The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion regards the growth of SMEs and entrepreneurs as central to its mandate. Government continues to improve the fiscal and regulatory environment to allow formalisation of small businesses without being overburdened. The ZEEX platform complements Government’s initiatives directly, offering a credible destination for the businesses our policies are designed to support.”
Professor Ncube noted that SMEs contribute more than 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product and employ over 70 percent of the national workforce, underscoring their importance to the economy.
“The ZEEX comes at an opportune time. While SMEs contribute over 60 percent of national GDP and employ more than 70 percent of the national workforce, many operate outside the formal capital markets, limiting structured access to finance, reducing tax revenues and constraining capital market development.”
The launch of ZEEX is expected to integrate more businesses into Zimbabwe’s formal financial system, creating new opportunities for growth, investment and broader participation in the economy.
