ZB launches Smile Mall for MSMEs
CLOUDINE MATOLA
ZB Financial Holdings (ZB) has launched Smile Mall, a digital marketplace designed to expand market access for Zimbabwe’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives, in a move aimed at accelerating financial inclusion and digital commerce.
The platform, unveiled during the recent National MSMEs and Cooperatives Indaba in Harare, seeks to address one of the sector’s biggest constraints, limited access to customers beyond local communities.
Announcing the initiative, ZB said Smile Mall would provide a trusted digital ecosystem that connects buyers and sellers across the country, enabling small businesses to scale their operations and tap into new markets.
“In line with our commitment to building a sustainable MSME and Cooperative ecosystem, I am delighted to officially unveil Smile Mall by ZB Bank,” the financial institution said.
“Smile Mall is a digital marketplace that connects buyers and sellers within a trusted ecosystem. One of the biggest challenges facing MSMEs and cooperatives is market access. The challenge is not a lack of ideas. The challenge is not a lack of passion. The challenge is often reaching customers and growing beyond local markets. Smile Mall has been designed to bridge that gap.”
ZB said the platform will enable entrepreneurs, cooperatives, farmers, artisans and small businesses to showcase their products to a broader customer base while participating more actively in Zimbabwe’s growing digital economy.
The bank added that the marketplace would deliver greater convenience, choice and trust for consumers while creating new business opportunities and supporting financial inclusion.
“It enables entrepreneurs, cooperatives, farmers, artisans and small businesses to showcase their products, reach new customers and participate more actively in Zimbabwe’s digital economy,” ZB said.
“For consumers, it provides convenience, choice and trust. For businesses, it creates opportunity. And for Zimbabwe, it supports financial inclusion, enterprise growth and digital transformation.”
Beyond the launch of Smile Mall, ZB said it remains focused on supporting sustainable economic development through investments in agriculture, financial inclusion and productive infrastructure.
The group said its strategy extends beyond financing production to strengthening entire agricultural value chains, linking farmers and cooperatives with processors, distributors and markets.
“Our ambition is not only to finance production, but to support the entire value chain—from farmers and cooperatives to processors, distributors and markets. By strengthening agricultural value chains, we contribute to food security, rural development, employment creation and national economic growth,” the bank said.
ZB said it was also expanding access to banking, digital financial services, savings, credit and insurance products to ensure broader participation in the economy, particularly among women, youth, MSMEs, cooperatives and underserved communities.
