Zimbabwe is set to host its inaugural Zimbabwe Future Capital Forum on 26 August 2026, a new platform that aims to bring together institutional investors, financial market participants, policymakers and private sector leaders to explore opportunities emerging from the country’s evolving capital markets. The event will take place alongside the sixth ZimReal Property Investment Forum at the Hyatt Regency Harare, The Meikles, reflecting the growing intersection between financial markets and real asset investment across Zimbabwe.
Organised by API Events, the forum comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s financial sector is undergoing significant regulatory and structural change. Over the past two years, authorities have introduced a series of reforms intended to broaden investment instruments, strengthen market infrastructure and diversify avenues through which businesses can access capital. These developments have included changes to listing requirements, the introduction of frameworks supporting Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds, provisions for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies and Alternative Trading Platforms, the establishment of the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange, and regulatory measures governing the operation of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.
According to organisers, the Zimbabwe Future Capital Forum is designed to connect providers of capital with businesses and projects seeking long term investment, while creating opportunities for dialogue between financial institutions, regulators and the wider investment community. More than 400 delegates representing over 100 organisations from Zimbabwe, across Southern Africa and international markets are expected to attend.
Support for the forum includes participation from organisations such as the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, the Zimbabwe Association of Pension Funds, the Mining Industry Pension Fund and South Africa’s Eskom Provident Pension Fund. Senior representatives from the Investor Hosting Centre, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Arctic Blue Asset Management, MMC Capital Advisory and Terrace Africa are also expected to contribute to discussions throughout the programme.
Speaking ahead of the event, Murray Anderson, Commercial Director at API Events, said recent reforms have created new foundations for Zimbabwe’s capital markets and that the forum seeks to translate those policy developments into practical investment opportunities by bringing together investors, issuers and market participants.
Zimbabwe’s capital markets have experienced notable developments in recent years. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, established in 1894, continues to operate as the country’s principal local currency exchange, while the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, which facilitates United States dollar denominated trading, has expanded its market presence since commencing operations. Together, the two exchanges now provide issuers and investors with different routes for raising and deploying capital, supporting both domestic and foreign currency investment options.
Officials from the Investor Hosting Centre have argued that while domestic liquidity remains available through pension funds, asset managers and other institutional investors, the principal challenge lies in developing investment ready projects that satisfy commercial and governance requirements. They contend that improving project preparation and bankability will be essential to attracting greater institutional participation in Zimbabwe’s economy.
The country’s pension industry also represents an important source of long term capital. According to figures published by the Insurance and Pensions Commission, Zimbabwe’s pension sector held approximately United States dollar assets equivalent to US$2.63 billion by the middle of 2025. Market participants increasingly view these funds as a potential source of financing for infrastructure, property development and productive sectors, provided investment opportunities meet appropriate risk and governance standards.
Real Estate Investment Trusts have also become an increasingly visible component of Zimbabwe’s financial markets. Listed funds including Tigere REIT, Revitus Property Opportunities REIT, Eagle REIT and the recently listed Pfuma Fund have expanded the range of investment products available to both institutional and retail investors. Industry participants say growing interest in property backed securities reflects demand for diversified investment vehicles capable of generating income while preserving value in changing economic conditions.
Executives from Terrace Africa and Arctic Blue Asset Management have indicated that increased participation in listed property markets demonstrates a growing appetite for professionally managed real estate assets, including United States dollar denominated investment products available through the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.
Beyond property markets, the forum’s agenda is expected to examine wider questions surrounding private equity, pension fund investment, infrastructure financing, alternative sources of capital and mechanisms for improving the pipeline of investable projects. Discussions will also consider how Zimbabwe’s evolving financial architecture can support broader economic development while strengthening connections between domestic capital and regional investment opportunities.
The forum reflects wider conversations taking place across Africa regarding the mobilisation of domestic capital to finance economic transformation. Across the continent, governments, regulators and institutional investors are increasingly exploring ways to deepen local capital markets, reduce reliance on external financing and strengthen regional financial integration. Within this broader context, Zimbabwe’s efforts to develop new investment frameworks form part of an ongoing continental discussion about expanding African owned sources of long term finance and improving the capacity of domestic markets to support sustainable economic growth.
The Zimbabwe Future Capital Forum and the sixth ZimReal Property Investment Forum will be held in Harare on 26 August 2026.
Readers can find further information about the event through the official Zimbabwe Future Capital Forum website at https://futurecapitalforum.co.zw and the ZimReal Property Investment Forum at https://zimreal.com. Additional information on Zimbabwe’s investment environment is available through the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency at https://investzim.com, while market information can be accessed through the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange at https://www.zse.co.zw and the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange at https://vfex.exchange.
