Pride Mzarabani
HARARE (FinX) – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZim) and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking the launch of a transformative partnership aimed at establishing the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Institute. The initiative represents a major leap in efforts to professionalise the country’s financial sector, deepen market participation and build a knowledge-driven, innovation-oriented economic ecosystem.
The signing ceremony brought together senior leadership from both institutions and marked a long-awaited moment for Zimbabwe’s capital markets eco system. The partnership is expected to become a cornerstone for developing skilled market practitioners equipped with technical competence, ethical grounding and a nuanced understanding of global capital market trends.
The collaboration builds on the Commission’s ongoing drive to enhance financial literacy through its #MySchool outreach programme which SECZIM has been rolling out nationwide. The initiative is designed to strengthen financial decision-making among young people, expand awareness of capital market opportunities, empower teachers to deliver financial education, and deepen financial inclusion across Zimbabwe.
Speaking during the MOA signing, SECZim Acting CEO Grace Berejena described the partnership as a milestone in building a resilient and future-ready financial system. She emphasised that skilled professionals are the bedrock of a sustainable capital market and the Institute will serve as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our effort to build a knowledge-driven and inclusive economic ecosystem. This collaborative initiative is not just an institutional collaboration, it is a visionary step towards cultivating a generation of professionals who are equipped with the technical expertise, ethical grounding and innovative mindsets needed to propel the breadth and depth of the Zimbabwe capital market into the future,” Berejena said.
She added that SECZim has long recognised the need for a coordinated platform to develop human capital in the financial sector, noting that the collaboration with NUST an institution known for academic excellence and research strength signals a shared commitment to strengthening Zimbabwe’s competitiveness regionally and globally.
Berejena highlighted that the idea dates back to 2012, but is now being realised because both institutions chose to collaborate. She further noted that the Institute will become a centre of excellence for continuous learning, innovation and service delivery, shaping a new generation of capital market professionals.
Berejena further highlighted that the Institute will bridge the gap between theory and practice by combining NUST’s academic strengths with SECZim’s industry exposure. She said the collaboration will ensure that future market entrants possess the required practical skills and regulatory awareness. Speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, she highlighted that the Commission remains open to signing more MOAs. Berejena said SECZim is committed to working with any institution willing to collaborate.
NUST Pro Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and Business Development, Professor William Goriwondo said the partnership aligns with NUST’s mission to produce graduates who are not only academically strong but also professionally ready for the evolving demands of the workplace.
“This partnership speaks directly to our shared vision of strengthening Zimbabwe’s capital market as a driver of sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Goriwondo stressed the importance of co-developing curricula that respond to market needs while benchmarking training programmes against global standards. He added that the Institute will play a critical role in developing competency-based programmes, tailored training for practitioners and robust Continuous Professional Development (CPD) frameworks.
