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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls

THE Zimbabwe Association of Pension Funds (ZAPF) 44th annual congress opened in Victoria Falls yesterday with over 400 delegates expected to attend.

The conference started with a golf tournament while the main proceedings are set for this morning. Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube is expected to officially open the three-day occasion.

According to the programme, a number of key discussion topics have been lined up.

Today delegates will discuss the role of the Trustee in uncertain times, with specific reference to governance of the board in the pensions industry.

Some of the presenters are from outside the country. Other topics include “Unmasking the effect of currency change on pension savings” as well as an update on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

The state of the country’s pension industry, especially the turmoil that faced the sector after the introduction of multi-currency in 2009 when thousands of people lost their savings, is likely to steal the show. A topic on alternative investments has also been lined up for discussion.

ZAPF will also have their annual general meeting today in the afternoon. Friday will open with an update form the regulator, the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) and a talk about “Achieving investment excellence: A practical guide for trustees of pension funds.”

There will also be a discussion on the new form of investment, the Blockchain technology, and the future of pension funds before the conference closes in the evening

The theme for the conference is: “Operating in a new normal: Increased regulation, volatile markets and heightened expectations”.

— @ncubeleon