PARLIAMENT has commended the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) after the bourse emerged as Africa’s best-performing stock market in July, saying the strong rally reflects growing investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s economy and underscores the importance of strengthening capital markets.
Legislators also called for increased support for the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX) to broaden access to capital for small businesses and start-ups.
ZEEX is a technology-driven market launched by the ZSE to unlock funding opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Zaka South legislator Clemence Chidawu said the ZSE’s strong performance, together with the launch of the Bulawayo-headquartered ZEEX, highlighted increasing confidence in Zimbabwe’s capital markets and the need to expand alteative financing channels for businesses.
The ZSE recorded a 68.5 percent year-to-date retu in United States dollar terms by July 31, 2026, making it the top-performing market among 17 African stock exchanges tracked by African
Markets data and placing it ahead of Nigeria and other major bourses on the continent.
Mr Chidawu said the performance sent a positive signal that investors were responding to improving economic stability, greater policy certainty and enhanced market credibility, while ZEEX had the potential to extend the benefits of capital markets to SMEs that often struggle to secure conventional bank financing.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, he said the developments carried significant 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 retu 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 had been driven by improving macroeconomic conditions and a more favourable policy environment, factors that were attracting both local and regional investors 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 support productive investment, stimulate economic activity and contribute to job creation.
“What this development means for the Zimbabwean economy is employment creation and the mobilisation of capital for growth,” he said.
Tuing to ZEEX, Mr Chidawu said the platform marked a significant step towards broadening financial inclusion by providing SMEs and start-ups with an alteative route to raise capital.
ZEEX is expected to offer a structured, transparent and cost-effective platform through which entrepreneurs and growing businesses can access funding, while giving investors opportunities to participate in the country’s expanding 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.”
Mr Chidawu said deeper capital and money markets were essential for financing major infrastructure and development projects, managing liquidity and providing alteative sources of funding for Govement.
“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.”-herald
