Unlocking Investment for Women-Led Projects through Co-operative Debentures (CDEs)

Across Africa, women are leading dynamic projects that drive real change in communities — from smallholder farms and food processing ventures to housing, manufacturing, and financial cooperatives. Yet, one challenge continues to slow down many of these initiatives: access to capital.

Now, through Co-operative Debentures (CDEs) — traded either over-the-counter (OTC) on allWomen.africa and coops.africa, or soon through the Co-operative Debenture Exchange once licensed — women-led cooperatives have a powerful new way to raise investment responsibly, transparently, and sustainably.

What Is a Co-operative Debenture (CDE)?

A CDE is a financial instrument that allows cooperatives to raise capital from investors by issuing debt backed by the assets or revenues of their enterprise. In simpler terms, it’s how a cooperative borrows money from investors — but in a structured, regulated, and trust-managed way that makes it secure for both sides.

Through ZWMB’s Co-operative Banking Division, all CDEs are held in trust, ensuring that funds are used strictly for the development goals of the cooperative while giving investors confidence in the governance and repayment framework.

How Women-Led Projects Can Access Investment through CDEs

1. Start by Registering Your Cooperative Online

Every journey begins at allWomen.africa.
Women leading a project should go to the ISALs/Co-ops Menu on the site and start the registration of their cooperative online. This is the first step to formalizing their group as a cooperative society capable of receiving investment.

2. Invite Your Members

Each cooperative must have at least 10 members. Once registered, the founding member or initiator can invite others to join directly through their co-op page.

3. Set Up Contributions and Participation

Members can define and make their regular contributions right on their co-op page. These contributions help establish the co-op’s operating fund and record of financial discipline — an important indicator for future investors.

4. Get Support from the ZWMB Co-operative Banking Division

Once registered, your cooperative will receive full guidance from the ZWMB Co-operative Banking Division.

• You can work online via allWomen.africa, or

• Visit any ZWMB branch for in-person assistance.

The bank’s Co-operative Banking team will walk you through the regulatory and technical steps needed to make your co-op investment-ready.

From Cooperative to CDE Issuer

After your cooperative is registered by the Regulator, the ZWMB will help you:

• Prepare a Prospectus — outlining your co-op’s project, expected returns, and governance.

• Set up a Trust Deed — with ZWMB acting as Trustee, safeguarding investor funds.

• Open your Co-op Society and Co-operator Accounts with ZWMB — creating an operational base for your transactions and investor inflows.

Once these steps are complete, your cooperative will be ready to issue CDEs and receive investment through the sale of your debentures either OTC on allWomen.africa/coops.africa or on the Co-operative Debenture Exchange (CDE) when it is officially launched.

Why Investors Are Excited About CDEs

The appetite among impact investors, development funds, and diaspora investors for ethical, community-based investment opportunities is growing rapidly. CDEs offer exactly that — a structured, compliant, and transparent way to fund African projects that deliver both financial returns and social impact.

Because CDEs are regulated and trustee-managed, they provide assurance of compliance, making women-led cooperatives more attractive to local and international investors.

The Rise of Cooperative Finance — Africa’s Own Capital Pathway

Cooperative Finance is not new — it’s the original African way of pooling resources for progress. But today, it’s evolving into a modern, digital, and investable asset class through the CDE model.

The growth of CDEs represents a reawakening of African finance — a system built on trust, inclusion, and shared prosperity rather than speculation. Women are at the heart of this movement, leading projects rooted in real community value.

Through allWomen.africa, these women are gaining access to tools that allow them to move from informal savings to structured investment — from small groups to co-operatives capable of issuing instruments that can attract global capital.

Join the Movement

If you’re a woman with a vision — in farming, energy, education, housing, or any other sector — this is your time.
Form your cooperative. Register it today on allWomen.africa under the ISALs/Co-ops menu.
Gather your team, build your contributions, and let ZWMB guide you toward issuing your Co-operative Debenture (CDE).

Together, we can grow a new asset class — built by women, for women, and for Africa’s future.

🌍 Call to Action Box (For Design)

Start Your Cooperative Today!
📍 Visit allWomen.africa → Click ISALs/Co-ops Menu → Begin Registration
🤝 Get support from ZWMB Co-operative Banking Division — online or at any ZWMB branch.
💰 Issue your Co-operative Debenture (CDE) and attract impact investors worldwide.
✨ Build your legacy. Empower your community. Grow Africa through cooperation.

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Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) | allWomen.africa | coops.africa