An African woman’s journey to financial freedomBy Dr. Mandas Marikanda Money is not just a means of exchange, it is a mirror. It reflects our fears, values, hopes and the stories we tell ourselves about what we deserve. For the African woman, money carries an even deeper psychology, shaped by history, culture and survival. It is not merely a financial tool; it is emotional, spiritual,...

January – June 2025 The first half of 2025 has been a mixed bag for Zimbabwe’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While there are signs of recovery in the economy, challenges like expensive loans, foreign currency shortages, and high operating costs continue to put pressure on many businesses. At the same time, new opportunities are opening up in farming, mining, digital commerce,...

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...

By Dr. Mandas Marikanda, CEO – Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) Zimbabwe stands today at the threshold of a transformative economic moment. Our economy having shifted significantly into the informal sector over the past two decades, now requires innovative structures that preserve the entrepreneurial agility of MSMEs while giving them the institutional compliance and...

Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) invites you to invest in US$10 million Preference Shares — issued at US$1 per share — redeemable in 10 years at a remarkable 24% per annum. This is more than an investment — it’s a bold step toward building Africa’s first cooperative-driven debt exchange and empowering women-led production in agriculture, mining, and...