CEC advocates for strong retail participation in capital markets

Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) Chief Financial Officer, Mutale Mukuka, has made a strong appeal for faster technology adoption, enhanced professional capacity, regional market integration, and wider retail investor participation to accelerate the growth of Zambia’s capital markets. Addressing delegates at the ongoing Zambia Capital Markets Conference and Awards 2026, held at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, Mukuka pointed out that global financial systems are evolving at an unprecedented pace through cutting-edge technology. He noted that local regulatory frameworks and market infrastructure must modernize urgently to keep pace with these international shifts. Highlighting the current barriers faced by everyday investors, Mukuka observed that international investment platforms already enable individuals to access over a hundred global exchanges with near-instantaneous transaction execution. In contrast, domestic markets often grapple with structural bottlenecks that limit accessibility. “The question is, how do we integrate as an exchange and prepare our market for investors?” Mukuka asked, stressing the necessity of creating seamless digital interfaces that welcome both domestic and international capital. The CEC financial chief further argued that capital market strategies must be tightly intertwined with Zambia's broader economic blueprints. Rather than introducing financial products in a vacuum, policymakers and market players should first identify high-growth sectors—such as agriculture, tourism, and energy—and subsequently formulate tailored funding instruments. He noted that this structured approach is vital for attracting climate finance and sustainable funding, asserting that capital will naturally flow wherever well-structured, bankable projects are established. Beyond infrastructural and project-level reforms, Mukuka emphasized that a truly resilient financial ecosystem must empower ordinary citizens to partake directly in natio