BULAWAYO’S emerging industries are set for a major boost from the expected launch of the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX) in the city on Friday, with the SME-focused bourse expected to unlock long-awaited capital-raising opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
The new exchange, which will be based in Bulawayo, is expected to provide an alternative funding platform for SMEs, a sector that dominates the city’s economic landscape.
City of Bulawayo Economic Development Manager Mr Kholisani Moyo said the establishment of ZEEX would significantly benefit the city’s business community while reinforcing Bulawayo’s position as Zimbabwe’s industrial hub.
Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday, Mr Moyo said the exchange would enable SMEs to access capital through the country’s capital markets, creating fresh opportunities for business expansion and industrial growth.
“One exciting aspect we are going to witness in this quarter are the capital markets,” said Mr Moyo.
“This Friday, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange will be coming to Bulawayo to launch the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX), where the SMEs sector which is dominating the economy of Bulawayo, will now have the opportunity of raising capital from the stock exchange.”
Drawing parallels with the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, Mr Moyo said ZEEX had the potential to transform the fortunes of emerging enterprises in the city.
“On the impact of the stock exchange, we saw it with the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange when it was launched and transformed into a large stock exchange, it is something that is coming to support the emerging industries in Bulawayo.”
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe recently approved ZEEX as an entrepreneurship-focused capital market platform designed to improve access to funding for SMEs within a regulated investment environment.
According to the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, ZEEX will provide efficient, transparent and cost-effective capital-raising and trading mechanisms tailored for emerging businesses.
The platform will operate through ZEEX Private Markets and ZEEX Public Markets, with the private market facilitating structured private placements for enterprises seeking pre-public investment.
The government announced the establishment of the SME Exchange in the 2026 National Budget to address limited access to long-term capital by small businesses.
The initiative is expected to deepen Zimbabwe’s capital markets while creating new funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and high-growth enterprises.-herald
