The Financial Markets Indaba, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Embassy in the United Kingdom, is set to host the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference in London on April 20th at the London Stock Exchange and April 21st at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. The conference will feature a lineup of esteemed keynote speakers and industry experts who will share insights on the potential for investment and diaspora contribution in Zimbabwe’s capital markets.
The Managing Director of the Financial Markets Indaba, Mr Patrick Muzondo (pictured above), stated in an email to The Southern African Times that “the goal of the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference is to emphasise and acknowledge the vital role played by capital markets in fostering economic development, preserving and growing households’ savings, and identifying opportunities in various sectors for diaspora, international investors, and companies/firms to allocate capital across different asset classes.”
One of the notable keynote speakers at the conference is Justin Bgoni, CEO of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and Victoria Falls Stock Exchange. Bgoni is expected to provide an overview of the current state of the capital markets in Zimbabwe, highlight the successes and developments in the sector, and shed light on investment opportunities available in the country.
Other distinguished speakers include Tafadzwa Chinamo, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), who will share insights on the government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for investment in Zimbabwe. Ken Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of West Property Holdings Limited, will discuss opportunities in the real estate sector, while Ilja Graulich, Head of Investor Relations & Communications at Tharisa – Karo Mining Holdings, will shed light on the mining sector.
The conference will also feature speakers from leading Zimbabwean companies, including Oliver Tendai Kamudimu, Finance Director of Padenga Holdings Limited, who will discuss investment opportunities in the agriculture sector. Morgan Nzwere, Chief Executive Officer of SeedCo International Holdings, will provide insights on the opportunities in the agribusiness sector, and Godfrey Gwainda, Finance Director of Innscor Africa, will discuss investment prospects in the food processing industry.
Other speakers at the conference include Nikos Potamianos, Development Manager at House of Chinhara, who will highlight investment opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector. Tendai Muzadzi, Investment Director at CBZ Asset Management, will provide insights on asset management and investment strategies in Zimbabwe, and Kurai Matsheza, Managing Director of Manica Board and Paper, will discuss opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Maurice Mason, VP Corporate Development at Caledonia Mining Corporation, will share insights on the mining industry and investment prospects in Zimbabwe.
The purpose of the conference includes expanding the investor base of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) by reaching out to institutional investors and the diaspora, highlighting the success stories and developments in Zimbabwe’s capital markets, integrating Zimbabwe with global markets to raise its profile as a favorable investment destination, altering the narrative for Zimbabwe’s economic prospects to international investors through participation of the international business community and media messaging, providing an opportunity for the government and private sector to present a unified economic message that conjures confidence and direction, and promoting the resort city of Victoria Falls as an offshore financial center to potential investors.
Moreover, the conference will  feature curated in-person and exclusive events and exhibitions that limit attendance to potential investors and high net-worth professionals to deliver practical results that include commitments and partnerships. B2B meetings and plenary sessions, including panel discussions with intermediaries like brokers, listed companies, diaspora investment groups, and government representatives, will provide opportunities for engagement on how to enhance investment in capital markets in Zimbabwe, particularly VFEX.
In addition, the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference will endeavour  to  provide a platform for participants to engage with industry experts, government representatives, and fellow investors. The conference will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one B2B meetings to facilitate meaningful discussions and partnerships. The conference also presents an opportunity for the diaspora to contribute to the development of Zimbabwe’s economy by investing in the local capital markets and fostering economic growth.
With a focus on highlighting investment opportunities and engaging with potential investors, the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference in London promises to be a significant event for those interested in the economic prospects of Zimbabwe and the opportunities available in its capital markets.
