Small Businesses Set to Benefit as Zimbabwe Prepares for 2027 Cricket World Cup

Zimbabwe’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup are entering a potentially lucrative phase—not just for cricket but for the small businesses hoping to cash in when thousands of fans, players, officials, and visitors descend on the country. Of course, there’s still time. The ICC recently confirmed 12 venues and the allocation of […]

The post Small Businesses Set to Benefit as Zimbabwe Prepares for 2027 Cricket World Cup appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Zimbabwe’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup are entering a potentially lucrative phase—not just for cricket but for the small businesses hoping to cash in when thousands of fans, players, officials, and visitors descend on the country.

Of course, there’s still time. The ICC recently confirmed 12 venues and the allocation of 57 matches across Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia for the landmark tournament – with Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and the Fale Mosi- oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium set to host matches in Zimbabwe.

Visitors won’t simply be coming for cricket, and for Zimbabwean businesses that presents a significant opportunity. Hotels can fill rooms, restaurants can serve meals, taxi drivers can offer transport, and countless others can benefit from tourism related to the world’s premier cricket tournament. However, none of that will matter if businesses aren’t ready when fans arrive.

Cricket’s Biggest Stage Could Bring a Business Bonanza

An event like the Cricket World Cup being hosted in Zimbabwe can act as a multiplier for many small businesses as well as betting sites listed on bettingtop10.com/zimbabwe/. Cricket fans require accommodation when they travel abroad; they need food while they’re exploring cities; they need transport to stadiums and tourist attractions – and they’re often interested in experiencing a destination beyond the sport on offer. Here’s how entrepreneurs across a range of sectors could capitalize on Zimbabwe’s chance in the global spotlight.

Victoria Falls Hoteliers Could Cash in on Cricket

Zimbabwe has already earmarked land at the Masuwe Special Economic Zone for Tourism to construct the Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, which will host matches in Victoria Falls come 2027. The Falls are one of Africa’s most iconic destinations. Imagine a cricket fan flying into Zimbabwe for the World Cup, staying at a Falls hotel for four or five nights while also taking day trips to the Falls and exploring local culture and attractions. Accommodation providers with the capacity, facilities and services to meet international standards may be able to cash in.

Hotels in Harare and Bulawayo Prepare for Crowds

Harare and Bulawayo are well-established cricketing cities, with Harare Sports Club having hosted international matches for decades and Queens Sports Club serving as one of Zimbabwe’s flagship grounds. That shouldn’t be ignored by local businesses. There will already be hotels and restaurants nearby when matches begin, creating familiarity for tourists.

The catalyst on offer here is increased footfall. Just as taverns around Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria have become part of the Super Rugby experience in South Africa, Cricket World Cup visitors could provide a boost to restaurant owners in Harare and Bulawayo – if they have capacity when crowds arrive.

Taxi Operators Eye World Cup Windfall

While larger hotels and established restaurants have their place in the tourism mix, smaller enterprises can also benefit. Independent taxi operators could provide transport to and from cricket matches, especially if the fixtures fit around larger tourist attractions like Victoria Falls. The accumulation of small transactions from international tourists can add up to big business. That holds for guesthouses and self-catering accommodations that can cater to travelers, too.

Restaurants Gear Up for Match-Day Business

Food is one of the most affordable and authentic ways to experience a culture when visiting a new country. As cricket fans descend on Zimbabwe from around the world, restaurants, cafés and takeaways can supplement match-day business by positioning themselves as alternatives to stadium hospitality or providing space for fans to socialize ahead of big matches.

Think about it: every fan that visits a restaurant also needs transport to the stadium, somewhere to stay before and after their visit, and will likely purchase souvenirs or other goods while they’re in the country.

Zimbabwe’s Stone Craft Industry Could See Demand

Follow-on spending is a crucial part of sports tourism. Cricket will be the hook, but Zimbabwe will benefit from revenue if tourists buy souvenirs, enjoy local cuisine and stay for tours of its famous attractions. Craft sellers may find willing customers if they market their products effectively. The global fan attending a match at Harare Sports Club might arrive in need of a cricket shirt but leave with a stone sculpture or a locally produced textile as a souvenir.

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Pitch to Cricket Tourists

Zimbabwe’s shining asset in its tourism armory is Victoria Falls. The World Cup will bring fans familiar with the Chevrons, but ancillary spending across the country will likely be influenced by distinctive experiences such as the Falls.

A star-studded international tournament presents a rare opportunity to put Zimbabwe on the global tourism map. While the focus in the lead-up will be on sport, entrepreneurs can soon shift their attention to capturing a share of spending when fans come to town. Visibility will be critical. Promoting your business before prospective tourists begin planning could give you an edge on competitors once January 2027 rolls around.

With the 2027 tournament approaching, Zimbabwe small businesses are already making preparations. From crafting compelling online profiles to gauge the upcoming International rush, entrepreneurs across Zimbabwe can position themselves to make the most of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, even after the final wicket is recorded.

The post Small Businesses Set to Benefit as Zimbabwe Prepares for 2027 Cricket World Cup appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

ZSE rallies as financial counters lead broad market advance

HARARE — Zimbabwean equities extended their upward momentum on Friday, with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) All Share Index gaining 1.33 percent as financial counters drove a broad-based recovery in market valuations. Trading activity strengthened, with 47 trades generating turnover of ZWG16.13 million, while total market capitalisation increased to ZWG106.31 billion. The ZSE Top 10 […]

The post ZSE rallies as financial counters lead broad market advance appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE — Zimbabwean equities extended their upward momentum on Friday, with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) All Share Index gaining 1.33 percent as financial counters drove a broad-based recovery in market valuations.

Trading activity strengthened, with 47 trades generating turnover of ZWG16.13 million, while total market capitalisation increased to ZWG106.31 billion.

The ZSE Top 10 Index was among the strongest performers, advancing 1.79 percent to 480.37 points, while the Top 15 Index gained 1.64 percent to 492.14 points. The Small Cap Index was unchanged at 100.11 points, highlighting the continued divergence between larger, more liquid counters and the smaller end of the market.

The Mid Cap Index, however, fell 0.69 percent to 485.29 points.

Financial stocks take the lead

The strongest sectoral performance came from financials, with the Financials Index rising 4.70 percent to 517.72 points.

CBZ Holdings was the standout among the major financial counters, climbing 9.04 percent to 3,707.51 cents. ZSE Holdings gained 13.51 percent to 210 cents, while TNCI advanced 5.77 percent to 29.64 cents.

SACL was the day’s biggest gainer, rising 13.96 percent to 3.70 cents.

At the other end of the market, Delta Corporation declined marginally by 0.11 percent to 3,240.89 cents, while RTG fell 3.10 percent to 159.84 cents.

Dairibord Holdings was the biggest decliner, falling 14.68 percent to 418.09 cents, in a sharp reversal that made the counter the principal drag on market sentiment.

Property counters attract renewed interest

The listed property segment also produced a notable move, with Tigere Property Fund gaining 9.21 percent to 119.65 cents and taking its market capitalisation to approximately ZWG2.2 billion.

The performance comes as investors increasingly assess listed property as an alternative store of value amid Zimbabwe’s evolving monetary environment and the continued search for assets capable of preserving purchasing power.

Revitus Property Fund was unchanged at 198.25 cents, with a market capitalisation of about ZWG730.2 million.

Investors remain selective

Market analysts told The Zimbabwe Financial Mail that Friday’s performance should be viewed less as a wholesale return of speculative buying and more as evidence of increasingly selective positioning by investors.

One market analyst said the concentration of gains in financial and larger counters reflected investors’ preference for companies with stronger balance sheets, liquidity and clearer earnings visibility.

“The market is increasingly rewarding counters where investors can see earnings growth and liquidity rather than simply chasing price momentum,” the analyst said.

Another analyst said the divergence between the major indices and the Small Cap Index remained significant, suggesting that the rally had yet to broaden sufficiently across the market.

“The fact that the Small Cap Index remains flat tells you that this is still a selective market. Investors are gravitating towards counters where they believe there is a credible fundamental story,” the analyst said.

The analysts noted that liquidity remains one of the central considerations shaping investor behaviour on the ZSE, particularly as investors assess the implications of corporate restructuring, delistings and the continuing development of Zimbabwe’s capital-market architecture.

Earlier market analysis has similarly pointed to growing investor preference for blue-chip counters as investors seek to reduce liquidity risk. Morgan & Co has argued that limited investment alternatives could continue directing flows towards larger counters, while analysts have highlighted the relative attractiveness of highly liquid companies on both the ZSE and Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.

Market capitalisation crosses ZWG106 billion

The increase in total market capitalisation to ZWG106.31 billion represents another indication of the upward re-rating taking place across Zimbabwe’s equity market.

However, the relatively modest number of trades compared with the scale of market capitalisation continues to underline the market’s structural liquidity constraints.

Analysts said sustained gains would ultimately depend on whether higher valuations are supported by corporate earnings, dividend capacity and deeper participation from institutional and retail investors.

“The important question now is whether the market can convert this price momentum into sustained liquidity and fundamental value creation,” one analyst said.

The latest session also came against a backdrop of continued corporate disclosures, with Cafca, National Foods and Hippo Valley releasing trading updates and Seed Co publishing its annual report and AGM notice.

For investors, the combination of stronger corporate earnings, improving monetary conditions and expanding capital-market infrastructure is creating a more constructive backdrop. But analysts cautioned that the market remains highly sensitive to liquidity, policy developments and the ability of listed companies to translate nominal earnings growth into real shareholder returns.

The ZSE’s recent performance therefore points to a market becoming more selective rather than uniformly bullish, with financials, property and other liquid counters emerging as the principal beneficiaries of renewed investor appetite.

The post ZSE rallies as financial counters lead broad market advance appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

ZSE rallies as financial counters lead broad market advance

HARARE — Zimbabwean equities extended their upward momentum on Friday, with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) All Share Index gaining 1.33 percent as financial counters drove a broad-based recovery in market valuations. Trading activity strengthened, with 47 trades generating turnover of ZWG16.13 million, while total market capitalisation increased to ZWG106.31 billion. The ZSE Top 10 […]

The post ZSE rallies as financial counters lead broad market advance appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE — Zimbabwean equities extended their upward momentum on Friday, with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) All Share Index gaining 1.33 percent as financial counters drove a broad-based recovery in market valuations.

Trading activity strengthened, with 47 trades generating turnover of ZWG16.13 million, while total market capitalisation increased to ZWG106.31 billion.

The ZSE Top 10 Index was among the strongest performers, advancing 1.79 percent to 480.37 points, while the Top 15 Index gained 1.64 percent to 492.14 points. The Small Cap Index was unchanged at 100.11 points, highlighting the continued divergence between larger, more liquid counters and the smaller end of the market.

The Mid Cap Index, however, fell 0.69 percent to 485.29 points.

Financial stocks take the lead

The strongest sectoral performance came from financials, with the Financials Index rising 4.70 percent to 517.72 points.

CBZ Holdings was the standout among the major financial counters, climbing 9.04 percent to 3,707.51 cents. ZSE Holdings gained 13.51 percent to 210 cents, while TNCI advanced 5.77 percent to 29.64 cents.

SACL was the day’s biggest gainer, rising 13.96 percent to 3.70 cents.

At the other end of the market, Delta Corporation declined marginally by 0.11 percent to 3,240.89 cents, while RTG fell 3.10 percent to 159.84 cents.

Dairibord Holdings was the biggest decliner, falling 14.68 percent to 418.09 cents, in a sharp reversal that made the counter the principal drag on market sentiment.

Property counters attract renewed interest

The listed property segment also produced a notable move, with Tigere Property Fund gaining 9.21 percent to 119.65 cents and taking its market capitalisation to approximately ZWG2.2 billion.

The performance comes as investors increasingly assess listed property as an alternative store of value amid Zimbabwe’s evolving monetary environment and the continued search for assets capable of preserving purchasing power.

Revitus Property Fund was unchanged at 198.25 cents, with a market capitalisation of about ZWG730.2 million.

Investors remain selective

Market analysts told The Zimbabwe Financial Mail that Friday’s performance should be viewed less as a wholesale return of speculative buying and more as evidence of increasingly selective positioning by investors.

One market analyst said the concentration of gains in financial and larger counters reflected investors’ preference for companies with stronger balance sheets, liquidity and clearer earnings visibility.

“The market is increasingly rewarding counters where investors can see earnings growth and liquidity rather than simply chasing price momentum,” the analyst said.

Another analyst said the divergence between the major indices and the Small Cap Index remained significant, suggesting that the rally had yet to broaden sufficiently across the market.

“The fact that the Small Cap Index remains flat tells you that this is still a selective market. Investors are gravitating towards counters where they believe there is a credible fundamental story,” the analyst said.

The analysts noted that liquidity remains one of the central considerations shaping investor behaviour on the ZSE, particularly as investors assess the implications of corporate restructuring, delistings and the continuing development of Zimbabwe’s capital-market architecture.

Earlier market analysis has similarly pointed to growing investor preference for blue-chip counters as investors seek to reduce liquidity risk. Morgan & Co has argued that limited investment alternatives could continue directing flows towards larger counters, while analysts have highlighted the relative attractiveness of highly liquid companies on both the ZSE and Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.

Market capitalisation crosses ZWG106 billion

The increase in total market capitalisation to ZWG106.31 billion represents another indication of the upward re-rating taking place across Zimbabwe’s equity market.

However, the relatively modest number of trades compared with the scale of market capitalisation continues to underline the market’s structural liquidity constraints.

Analysts said sustained gains would ultimately depend on whether higher valuations are supported by corporate earnings, dividend capacity and deeper participation from institutional and retail investors.

“The important question now is whether the market can convert this price momentum into sustained liquidity and fundamental value creation,” one analyst said.

The latest session also came against a backdrop of continued corporate disclosures, with Cafca, National Foods and Hippo Valley releasing trading updates and Seed Co publishing its annual report and AGM notice.

For investors, the combination of stronger corporate earnings, improving monetary conditions and expanding capital-market infrastructure is creating a more constructive backdrop. But analysts cautioned that the market remains highly sensitive to liquidity, policy developments and the ability of listed companies to translate nominal earnings growth into real shareholder returns.

The ZSE’s recent performance therefore points to a market becoming more selective rather than uniformly bullish, with financials, property and other liquid counters emerging as the principal beneficiaries of renewed investor appetite.

The post ZSE rallies as financial counters lead broad market advance appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

Angry South Africans vow to kill Zimbabwean international footballer and Sundowns striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya

Death threats after Ngwenya challenge revive fears over dangers facing Zimbabwean footballers in South Africa Zimbabwe international Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has reportedly received death threats after a challenge that injured Orlando Pirates midfielder …

Death threats after Ngwenya challenge revive fears over dangers facing Zimbabwean footballers in South Africa Zimbabwe international Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has reportedly received death threats after a challenge that injured Orlando Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli during AmaZulu’s 1-1 draw with the Buccaneers in the South African Betway Premiership at Kings Park on Wednesday night. A source […]

The post Angry South Africans vow to kill Zimbabwean international footballer and Sundowns striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Cafca banks on monetary stability, exports to sustain growth

HARARE — Cable manufacturer Cafca Limited is banking on sustained monetary stability, stronger export performance and continued investment in productive capacity to drive growth as the company navigates rising input costs and persistent global supply-chain disruptions. The company says the improving domestic economic environment has given businesses greater visibility over costs and operations, making it […]

The post Cafca banks on monetary stability, exports to sustain growth appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE — Cable manufacturer Cafca Limited is banking on sustained monetary stability, stronger export performance and continued investment in productive capacity to drive growth as the company navigates rising input costs and persistent global supply-chain disruptions.

The company says the improving domestic economic environment has given businesses greater visibility over costs and operations, making it easier to plan production and undertake longer-term investment.

For Cafca, that stability is already translating into higher demand. Group volumes increased by 20 percent in the nine months to June 30, 2026, compared with the corresponding period last year, with domestic sales volumes rising 21 percent and exports increasing 8 percent.

The company said the stronger performance reflected its ability to capture opportunities created by a more stable trading environment.

“Local volumes were up 21 percent whilst exports were up 8 percent due to better conversion of the opportunity presented by the stable trading environment,” Cafca said in its third-quarter trading update.

Stronger sales drive earnings

Cafca’s momentum accelerated during the third quarter, when sales volumes increased 32 percent year-on-year despite mounting pressure on the cost of imported raw materials.

The company said the improvement demonstrated strengthening trading conditions, although geopolitical tensions and disruptions to international supply chains continued to affect input availability and pricing.

The stronger volumes fed directly into the group’s financial performance. Revenue for the nine months was 31 percent higher than in the comparable period last year, supported by increased sales and price adjustments introduced to offset higher production costs.

The pricing measures became increasingly important as raw material costs rose by 36 percent year-on-year, underscoring the inflationary pressures still being transmitted through global supply chains.

Despite the sharp increase in input costs, Cafca said disciplined cost management helped limit the impact on profitability and allowed the business to extract greater operating leverage from higher volumes.

Profit before tax consequently surged 147 percent above the prior-year level.

Stability becomes a competitive advantage

Cafca’s performance highlights the importance of monetary and operational predictability for Zimbabwean manufacturers, particularly businesses that depend on imported industrial inputs.

A more stable monetary environment allows manufacturers to price products with greater confidence, plan inventories more effectively and make investment decisions over longer time horizons. It also improves the ability of companies to respond to demand rather than constantly adjusting operations to currency and cost volatility.

For Cafca, the combination of stronger domestic volumes, expanding exports and improved cost discipline has provided a platform for growth even as external risks remain elevated.

The company, however, warned that geopolitical shocks continue to pose risks to global supply chains, meaning the benefits of domestic stability could still be undermined by developments beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.

Its strategy therefore increasingly points towards a combination of domestic market growth and export diversification, while maintaining tight control over costs and investing in productive capacity.

The latest results suggest that, where monetary stability is accompanied by operational discipline, Zimbabwean manufacturers can convert improved economic predictability into higher volumes, stronger revenues and substantially better profitability.

The post Cafca banks on monetary stability, exports to sustain growth appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.