Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) Holdings and Red Sphere Microfinance, a subsidiary of CBZ Holdings, have partnered to launch a technology-driven Trade Receivables Discounting Platform under the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX), aimed at unlocking liquidity for small businesses and strengthening the country’s supply chain ecosystem.
The initiative is expected to deliver critical working capital to suppliers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by enabling them to convert unpaid invoices into immediate cash through a regulated digital marketplace.
The platform links suppliers, buyers and financiers within a transparent ecosystem designed to enhance receivables financing, promote competitive pricing and reduce payment delays that have long constrained business growth in Zimbabwe.
Under the arrangement, Red Sphere Microfinance will act as the anchor financing partner.
In a joint statement, the two institutions said the partnership would leverage proven technology and established regulatory frameworks to create a transparent, efficient and inclusive receivables financing market tailored to Zimbabwe’s economic realities.
ZSE Holdings group chief executive Mr Justin Bgoni said the initiative marked a significant expansion of the exchange’s infrastructure beyond traditional securities markets.
“This partnership with Red Sphere Microfinance marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to broaden the utility of ZSE’s infrastructure beyond traditional securities markets. By directing our depository’s capabilities towards trade receivables discounting, we are creating a tangible solution to the liquidity constraints that continue to hold back Zimbabwean SMEs,” he said.
Mr Bgoni said the exchange was confident the platform would become an integral component of Zimbabwe’s financial architecture.
“We are confident that this platform will become an essential pillar of the country’s financial ecosystem by improving access to working capital, strengthening supply chains and supporting business sustainability,” he said.
Red Sphere Microfinance general manager Mr Desmund Ali said the platform would help businesses overcome cash flow challenges by accelerating access to funding.
“We have partnered with ZSE Holdings to deliver a highly automated receivables discounting model that supports faster decision-making and quicker disbursements. This platform will reduce payment delays and help businesses keep their operations running without interruption,” he said.
Mr Ali said Red Sphere would play a critical role in providing anchor financing while ensuring prudent risk management through rigorous credit assessments.
“Red Sphere will play a key role in providing anchor financing and supporting prudent risk assessment based on counterparty creditworthiness. We remain committed to supporting transparent, regulated financing that strengthens SMEs and improves confidence in invoice financing,” he said.
The development comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to introduce innovative financing mechanisms to support enterprise growth and economic formalisation.
ZEEX, which recently secured regulatory approval, is a digital capital markets platform designed to deepen financial inclusion and accelerate the formalisation of businesses.
The platform enables primary market fundraising, asset tokenisation and secondary market trading within a single integrated ecosystem.
