Staff Writer
FINANCIAL services group Zimre Holdings Limited (ZHL) says its key priorities for the year include driving balance sheet optimization, improving collaboration across strategic business units, and the revitalization of better-performing assets, Insurance24 reports
Through these efforts the group expects to enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable profitability across the world.
Giving a trading update at the group’s annual general meeting today, ZHL CE Stanley kudenga said group was advancing in its Africa-Trek strategy, with capital-raising initiatives targeted at strengthening the capital position of all investors, insurance companies, and supporting their expansion into new African markets.
“This forms part of a broader strategy to build a resilient and diversified insurance footprint across the continent.Our infrastructure growth strategy, anchored by the Eeagle-REIT, remains central to our vision.
The key projects under the REIT include the Mazoe Walk and the Victoria Falls Development. These projects reinforce our commitment to creating resilient, future-ready infrastructure,” he said
Kudenga said these projects not only catalyze economic activity but also advance the community’s sustainable and environmentally conscious development.
He said the group was undertaking a broader transformation into a digitally-enabled, data-informed, and sustainability-aligned business.
“We are investing in technologies and platforms that enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and strengthen our collective edge.We are embedding sustainability across our operations from infrastructure development to insurance and other IT and investment practices, ensuring we deliver value to the shareholders and the broader society,” he said
He added that exploration of new leverage streams, strategic partnerships, as well as innovation, will continue to play a crucial role in driving growth and expanding markets
In the five months to May 2025, Kudenga said the group posted a profit of US$8 million , a 121% jump from the previous year.
The insurance and re-insurance segment, saw a 6% increase in insurance revenues from 0.5% to May 2025, reaching US$20.4 million compared to US$19.2 million in the same period last year.
He said this growth was driven by new business, organic expansion and increased advertising capacity across all agencies.
“As the segment continues to drive growth in both local and external markets, it is strategically positioned for expansion into Africa, aiming to enhance the group’s re-insurance plan feasibility and ultimately improve market performance. Looking at the short-term insurance segment, which achieved a remarkable growth in total income, the Group grossed US$2.1 million, a 113% increase from prior year’s US$12 million. This was propelled by insurance revenues, which increased US$136% from US$0.8 million in prior year’s US$2 million,” he said
This notable growth,Kudenga was driven by a strategic shift in focus towards core business life, resulting in over 60% of business return coming from core business life.
Looking at the property segment, he said total income rose from US$0.9 million to US$0.8 million in response to the strategic move
“It was only rebalancing with more relatable space under commercial and retail, thus driving general momentum. Despite these reductions mainly in the CBD sector, occupants remained strong at 81%, with average collections reaching 98% amid market liquidity challenges,” he said
Kudenga said the group continued to view property investment as a value-creating asset aligned with investment strategy.
The insurance-broking arm business reported a 32% increase in total income, reaching US$0.6 million compared to US$0.5 million in the same period prior year.
” This growth was driven by a 86% rise in brokerage and corporation income, fuelled by successful accounting renewal, new business acquisitions and the organic growth stemming from strategic partnerships and alliances established between January and May 2025,”he said
