In a significant move to reshape digital commerce and diaspora investment, Zimbabwe’s largest financial group, CBZ Holdings, has introduced an innovative digital platform called Ziki Mall. This is a strategic effort to address longstanding challenges faced by Zimbabweans abroad when sending money home or investing in local opportunities. The platform was officially launched at a high-profile event in Birmingham, UK, drawing business leaders and members of the Zimbabwean community eager for a reliable way to engage with their homeland.
Ziki Mall is more than just a payment platform; it’s a revolutionary lifestyle ecosystem integrating online shopping, international money transfers, property investment, travel bookings, and even healthcare services, all tailored for Zimbabweans worldwide. The name “Ziki” represents its core principles: Zero Borders, Innovation, Knowledge-Based, and Integration. At its heart lies a solution designed to provide Zimbabweans abroad with the tools they need to transact with confidence wherever they are in the world.
“We’re creating a trusted space where our diaspora community can support their families and invest in Zimbabwe with confidence,” explained Emmanuel Tapera, CBZ’s Digital Banking Executive. “No more worrying about your hard-earned money disappearing into the wrong hands. Ziki empowers us to support the real ‘heroes’, the hardworking individuals who stand by us as a bank, contribute to the economy, and support their families and friends back home. These everyday heroes deserve a safe and reliable way to invest in their homeland without fear of financial loss. With this platform, we’re giving the diaspora community greater control, allowing them to manage their financial affairs back home from anywhere in the world.”
At the heart of this innovation is Ziki Cash, a cutting-edge money transfer solution that enables instant, secure, and low-cost transactions, both locally and internationally. For shoppers, Ziki Mall offers a global online marketplace where users can purchase goods, pay bills, and settle fees with unmatched convenience. Ziki Travel & Entertainment simplifies leisure planning with seamless holiday bookings, event tickets, and exclusive travel deals, making every getaway effortless.
Property buyers and investors can rely on Ziki Properties. This secure, verified real estate portal connects them with trusted CBZ listings and accredited partners, eliminating fraud and unethical practices in the property market. For healthcare support, Ziki Health empowers the diaspora to easily assist loved ones back home, ensuring timely medical payments and access to vital services.
More than just a digital tool, Ziki is a transformative force for Zimbabwe’s economy, particularly for the informal sector. By expanding access to a global clientele, it unlocks unprecedented business growth, wider markets, and scalable opportunities. With its secure, user-friendly ecosystem, Ziki is driving a new era of financial inclusion, convenience, and economic empowerment, positioning Zimbabwe for a future of digital prosperity.
“We value building strong partnerships with Zimbabwean businesses. Our role is to provide merchants with a reliable platform, and we take full responsibility for the onboarding process, ensuring only vetted and trusted merchants and tradespeople are approved. This safeguards our platform users. As a business, we are committed to continuously improving the application based on end-user feedback.” Said Emmanuel Tapera
In a discussion on regional market penetration, CBZ CEO Mr. Lawrence Nyazema highlighted the bank’s ambitious plans to expand its commodity trading operations. “We initially focused on agriculture and commodities, but we are now diversifying into other sectors to strengthen Zimbabwe’s trade ecosystem,” he stated. “What’s even more exciting is our partnership with a major continental entity to establish a global trading business. This venture will facilitate the exchange of Zimbabwean products worldwide while importing essential goods into the region.”
CBZ Holdings intends to leverage strategic collaborations in most of its operations. Rather than attempting to manage all operations independently, CBZ aligns with infrastructure and logistics experts to enhance efficiency. A key example is Dubai World’s investments in Southern Africa’s transport networks, which serve as a model for building resilient supply chains. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of such partnerships, prompting CBZ to explore similar trade hub strategies that have proven successful in transforming economies like the UAE.
Mr. Nyazema’s optimism about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) emphasises its potential to boost self-sufficiency across the continent. “It’s time for Africa to prioritise self-sufficiency,” he said. “Why should Angola import beef from Brazil when Namibia exports high-quality beef to Europe at lower prices? We must leverage AfCFTA to correct these inefficiencies.” His remarks stressed the need for African nations to capitalise on regional trade opportunities rather than relying on distant markets.
Mr. Nyazema emphasised that Ziki Mall, CBZ’s digital marketplace, is a key component of this ecosystem. “While Ziki Mall is already providing flexibility for local buyers and businesses, we envision scaling it into a comprehensive B2B and B2C platform,” he explained. “Our goal is to create a seamless cross-border trading solution that connects African markets with global opportunities.”
With bold partnerships and a forward-thinking approach, CBZ is positioning itself as a catalyst for pan-African trade growth, driving innovation and economic integration across the continent.
CBZ Bank reported a high turnout at this year’s Property Show, with particular interest from Zimbabwe’s diaspora community seeking investment opportunities back home. The bank’s exhibition stand saw steady traffic throughout the event as visitors inquired about real estate options and financial products.
Matilda Nyathi, CBZ’s Chief Marketing Officer, said, “We are truly delighted with the turnout at this year’s Property Show Day. It has been gratifying to see so many visitors spending time at our stand, learning about our financial solutions, including our recently launched Ziki Mall platform. The level of interest and engagement we’ve experienced here speaks volumes about the trust people have in our brand and the desire to invest back home”.
Such events help bridge information gaps for overseas investors while providing banks with valuable insights into diaspora investment preferences. The Property Show forms part of CBZ’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with Zimbabweans abroad and channel investment into key sectors.
