HARARE – Financial services firm Bard Santner Inc says it closed 2025 on a stronger footing despite what it described as a difficult operating environment characterised by economic volatility and tightening liquidity conditions.
The Harare-based company, which operates in asset management, corporate finance, micro-finance, wealth management, remittances and investment promotion, outlined its performance in an internal annual review seen by ZimLive. Bard Santner also owns TX Money Transfer, a regional remittances outfit.
According to the report, the group’s leadership — CEO Senziwani Sikhosana and senior executives Tatenda Hungwe and Lucia Chingwaru — said the year “tested” the business but also presented openings that the company sought to exploit.
“Despite the economic headwinds, the team worked to expand our offerings and consolidate our position in the market,” the report says, adding that the company focused on operational efficiency, cost controls and technology upgrades to contain pressures.
Expansion and Engagements
Bard Santner lists the opening of a new office in Sandton, Johannesburg — complementing a representative office in New York — among its key developments in 2025. The company also participated in several regional and international events, including the Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja in June and the Seeff Zimbabwe Diaspora Property Showcase in Dallas, Texas, in April.
The firm says its engagements in Nigeria facilitated renewed discussions with billionaire Aliko Dangote, resulting in what it describes as a “US$1 billion investment commitment” in cement, coal and power projects. Dangote previously explored Zimbabwe investments in 2015 and 2018 without progress.
Bard Santner was in March appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe as asset manager for three Tasimba Properties unit trusts, previously under Tetrad Investment Bank.
South Africa Approvals
In July, the group secured two regulatory licences in South Africa — a National Credit Regulator licence as a credit provider and an asset management licence — paving the way for operations in what is one of the region’s largest financial markets.
The company says this forms part of its intention to expand into a “borderless, Pan-African institution”.
Social Initiatives and Corporate Positioning
The review highlights the company’s continued sponsorship of the SA Golf Challenge, which Bard Santner says has grown into a key networking platform for executives in Zimbabwe and the region. The 2025 edition included an all-expenses-paid trip for the tournament winner to attend the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.
Outlook and Economic Context
With multiple projections — including from the government, IMF and World Bank — suggesting Zimbabwe’s economy could grow by 5–6 percent in 2026 following a drought-affected 2024, Bard Santner says it expects improved operating conditions but warns that debt overhang, arrears and financing constraints remain major risks.
The firm argues that policy consistency, reforms and improved governance will be critical to maintaining investor confidence as Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 targets.
Key People
Senziwani Sikhosana (Chief Executive) – Sikhosana holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Commerce from NUST and is an Associate Chartered Management Accountant. He previously worked at National Merchant Bank, Trust Merchant Bank, Kingdom Merchant Bank and Interfin before co-founding Access Finance and later establishing Bard Santner.
Tatenda Hungwe (Executive Director) – Diversified Financial Services)
Hungwe began his career at National Discount House in 2003 and later worked in stockbroking, advisory and private equity roles in South Africa, Dubai and the UAE, including with Sagit, Dubai Professional Trading Group, N2 Capital Markets, Overseas Financial Services, DeVere, Parker Randall Strategy and First Tecoma.
Lucia Chingwaru (Executive Director)
– Chingwaru started at Nissi Finance and CBZ before joining Kingdom Bank, where she rose through senior operational roles. She later joined Access Finance in 2018, becoming Country Director of Access Forex. She moved to Bard Santner in 2022 as Executive Director.
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