Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
PARLIAMENT has commended the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange after the bourse emerged as Africa’s best-performing stock market in July, saying the strong rally demonstrates growing investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic outlook.
Legislators called then for stronger support for the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX) to widen access to capital for small businesses and start-ups.
ZEEX is a tech-driven market launched by the ZSE to unlock capital and funding options for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Zaka South legislator Clemence Chidawu said the ZSE’s strong performance, coupled with the launch of the Bulawayo-headquartered ZEEX, demonstrated growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s capital markets and the need to deepen alternative financing channels for businesses.
The ZSE recorded a 68.5 percent year-to-date return in United States dollar terms by July 31, 2026, placing it at the top among 17 African stock markets tracked by African Markets data and ahead of Nigeria and other major performers.
Mr Chidawu said the performance was a positive signal that investors were responding to improving economic stability, policy predictability and market credibility, while ZEEX could help extend the benefits of capital markets to SMEs that often struggle to access conventional bank financing.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, he said the developments had broader implications for capital mobilisation, financial inclusion and economic growth.
“I rise to take the floor on a point of national interest regarding Zimbabwe taking the top spot in Africa as the best-performing stock market in 2026.
“The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) closed July 2026 as the continent’s leader in USD terms, surpassing Nigeria and other major performers after months of sustained upward momentum.”
“Real-time African market data shows that the ZSE delivered an impressive 68,5 percent year-to-date return in US dollar terms up to 31 July 2026, a performance that signals rising confidence in our economy.
“This is not only a financial headline, Hon Speaker, but also a sign of renewed investor confidence and growing market credibility. The market responded positively to stability, predictability and confidence.”
Mr Chidawu said the rally was underpinned by improving macroeconomic conditions and a more conducive policy environment, which were encouraging local and regional investors to commit resources to listed equities.
“What is driving this sterling rally is a combination of macroeconomic stability and renewed investor confidence coming from a more conducive policy environment.
“With easing inflation and a more predictable monetary framework, local and regional investors are increasingly willing to commit resources to Zimbabwe’s listed equities.
“This is a clear indication that when stability improves, capital markets respond positively, strengthening the savings-to-investment channel of our economy.”
He said the strong market performance could help mobilise capital for productive investment and employment creation.
“What this development means for the Zimbabwean economy is employment creation and the mobilisation of capital for growth,” he said.
Turning to ZEEX, Mr Chidawu said the platform represented an important step towards expanding financial inclusion by giving SMEs and start-ups an alternative avenue to raise capital.
ZEEX is expected to provide a structured, transparent and cost-effective platform through which entrepreneurs and growing enterprises can raise capital while offering investors opportunities to participate in the country’s dynamic SME sector.
“Beyond performance, Zimbabwe is also advancing financial inclusion through innovation; the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX) launched in July 2026.
“ZEEX is a regulated digital platform enabling SMEs and start-ups to raise capital without relying solely on traditional bank collateral.
“I, therefore, commend the Executive and urge the relevant authorities to intensify support for ZEEX, strengthen investor confidence and accelerate efforts to deepen and expand capital markets for national development.”
He said deeper capital and money markets were critical to financing major national projects, managing liquidity and providing alternative channels for fiscal financing.
“The capital and money markets serve as the primary engines for financing major projects. Hon. Speaker, the continued strength and performance of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange is a strong signal that investors respond positively to stability, credibility and viable instruments.
“If we are to translate this confidence into tangible national development outcomes, we must ensure that Zimbabwe’s capital and money markets, especially the bond market, are deepened so that they can become reliable channels for fundraising, liquidity management and fiscal financing.”
