SECZ Buttresses its Financial Inclusion and Investor Education Commitment at ZITF
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZ) recently exhibited at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company (ZITF)’s 61st trade exhibition. The Trade Fair was officially open by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This year’s hybrid event premiered successfully after the 2020 edition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 396 exhibitors attended the four-day exhibition from Tuesday to Friday. Eleven countries were represented, including Botswana, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belarus, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria and Tanzania. SECZ exhibited at the Fair as part of their outreach strategy to promote capital markets investments aligned to Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) re-engaging the international community to build confidence and how to provide investment and job creation options, which also encompasses the objectives of the draft National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2 (NFIS2).
The SECZ stand saw a significant number of visitors of all ages throughout the Fair. There were students, young people, SME owners, civil servants, university representatives, Junior, Middle and Senior Management amongst others taking advantage of the classroom setup to find out about the Capital Markets, what the regulator does and to get advice on how to invest. Amongst the highlights of the event was a visit from the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube, who presided over the launch of SECZ’s Investor 101 Handbook late last year. The Honourable Minister took time to discuss market issues with SECZ, CEO, Tafadzwa Chinamo and Head of Investor Education Farai Mpofu.
The SECZ stand hosted more than 125 potential retail investors and SMEs who had many comments and queries for the team. SECZ took note of the pointers. The organisation will be adding them to its list of FAQs found on their Investwise website page to provide relevant and timely information for anyone interested in capital markets and investing.
SECZ Head of Investor Education, Farai Mpofu, urged Zimbabweans to “invest in themselves through financial literacy”. To achieve this, she highlighted different projects SECZ has implemented, including the launch of the Investor 101 Handbook in both hard copy and e-copy and audio versions. The Handbook provides the relevant and appropriate information an investor needs to get started, make informed decisions and ask the right questions of licenced service providers to participate in the capital markets.
SECZ also launched the, ‘Grain of Fortune’ video. It is a film about a small company looking to expand and the options available to them. The film explains how a company can list on the ZSE. The Regulator also released the ‘Ayoba Mkoba’ Radio Series and is now uploading episodes weekly. SECZ has hosted and participated in several webinars on capital markets and investments. Uploads are ongoing for educating investors.
The SECZ team is looking forward to spearheading more projects as part of their ongoing commitment to financial inclusion and investor education.
This article was written as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe’s Investor Education Campaign in partnership with the Investor Protection Fund (IPF). For more information contact: seczim@seczim.co.zw
