CBZ Holdings says it will leverage its participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to establish partnerships with global investors and attract capital into Zimbabwe, chief executive Mr Lawrence Nyazema has said.
Investor interest in Zimbabwe is already rising, characterised by a higher volume of small- and large-scale projects and a shift towards tangible, sector-specific investments rather than speculative ones. Over 200 new licences were issued in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Key sectors driving this interest include mining, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing, aided by business reforms and a rapidly stabilising economy following the introduction of the gold-backed ZiG currency.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, led the Zimbabwe delegation to the 2026 WEF. The delegation focused on showcasing investment opportunities in critical minerals such as lithium, strengthening economic reforms, and promoting clean energy initiatives.
Mr Nyazema said participation in Davos was a strategic platform to showcase Zimbabwe as a viable, bankable destination for sustainable investment.
“Davos gives us a direct platform to engage global capital, development partners, and policymakers. For CBZ Group, it is about positioning Zimbabwe as investable, bankable, and open for sustainable growth. Our presence is deliberate.
“We are here to amplify Zimbabwe’s growth story, particularly in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and financial inclusion. As a local institution with regional reach, we help bridge global capital with local opportunity,” he said.
The 2026 WEF, which ran from 19–23 January under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, concluded on Friday after drawing record participation from heads of state, policymakers, and international business leaders.
Central to the discussions were escalating geopolitical tensions, specifically following the US government’s renewed push to acquire Greenland.
The move has triggered a fresh wave of coercive tariffs against countries opposing the plan, heightening fears of a systemic rupture in global trade and traditional alliances.
WEF’s 21st Annual Global Risks Report identified geoeconomic confrontation as the primary threat facing the world in 2026.
The main actors in these confrontations include the United States and China, along with the European Union, India, and Gulf states.
Mr Nyazema said CBZ serves as a vital gateway for international investors due to its deep understanding of the local regulatory landscape.
“Success is measured after Davos. It is in the deals structured, the partnerships formed, and the projects funded. That is where the real value lies for CBZ Group and for Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe has achieved significant milestones towards durable macroeconomic stability between 2024 and 2025, driven by the introduction of a new structured currency, strict monetary policies, and a shift towards formalising the economy.
Key achievements include stabilisation of exchange rates, a sharp reduction in inflation, and improved foreign currency reserves, creating a conducive environment for investment.
In April 2024, the Government introduced the ZiG, a currency backed by gold, precious minerals, and foreign currency reserves.
ZiG has helped stabilise the exchange rate and reduce price volatility compared to previous iterations of the local currency.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) tightened monetary policy, with the growth of the ZiG component of broad money (M3) slowing from 10 percent in 2024 to 2 percent in 2025. A major policy shift ended the central bank’s role in deficit financing, significantly reducing liquidity-driven inflation.
Monthly inflation averaged 0.4 percent between February and December 2025, while the annual rate dropped from 95.8 percent in July to 12 percent by December.
After a slow 2024, the economy is projected to grow by 6.6 percent in 2025, driven by mining and agricultural recovery, with expansion forecast to remain strong this year at 5 percent.-herald
