Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza
Business Reporter
The Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to create avenues for Southern African capital markets, including Zimbabwe, to access investors in the Middle East.
The agreement, signed in Abu Dhabi on September 9, establishes a framework for CoSSE member exchanges to explore, assess and potentially connect to the Tabadul Hub, a digital platform operated by ADX to facilitate cross-border trading and broaden market access.
Tabadul connects 11 exchanges, representing more than 700 listed companies and over 11 million registered investors, with a combined market capitalisation exceeding US$1 trillion.
The platform is designed to facilitate cross-border trading by allowing investors to access securities listed on participating exchanges through their existing brokers, potentially reducing some of the barriers associated with investing across different markets.
Under the agreement, CoSSE will coordinate discussions among member exchanges interested in joining the Tabadul network, potentially creating a more structured link between SADC capital markets and investors in the United Arab Emirates.
CoSSE chairperson Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi said the agreement represented an important step towards deeper regional financial integration and improving access to international capital.
“This MoU with ADX marks a significant step forward in CoSSE’s mission to deepen regional financial integration and open new pathways for our member exchanges to connect with global capital markets,” he said.
For Zimbabwe, the development comes as the country seeks to deepen its capital markets, broaden investment opportunities and attract foreign capital through financial-market reforms and new investment instruments.
Zimbabwe has two equities exchanges, the ZSE and VFEX, alongside other segments of the domestic capital market.
ZSE remains the country’s main equities market, while VFEX provides a United States dollar-denominated trading platform designed in part to facilitate foreign investment and offer investors greater currency stability.
According to the 2026 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review Statement, both exchanges recorded positive performance during the first half of the year, reflecting continued activity in the domestic capital markets. CoSSE brings together 14 exchanges across Southern Africa, including the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Botswana Stock Exchange and Lusaka Securities Exchange.
According to ADX, the member exchanges collectively represent more than 776 listed companies and a combined market capitalisation of about US$1,3 trillion.
ADX Group chief executive officer Mr Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi said the partnership would strengthen investment connectivity between the two regions while creating opportunities for investors.
“This partnership will help connect dynamic capital markets, enhance liquidity, and create new opportunities for investors across the UAE and the SADC region,” Mr Alnuaimi said.
