HARARE – Financial advisory firm Bard Santner is marking its fourth anniversary on February 1, reflecting on a rapid rise from modest beginnings to an influential position in regional and international financial markets.
Formed following the dissolution of an earlier partnership, the firm has, within just four years, established itself as a credible player in complex capital markets, guided by a deliberate strategy for institutional growth across Africa and beyond.
Led by chief executive officer and veteran banker Senziwani Sikhosana, Bard Santner began operations without start-up capital or exit proceeds. Instead, the firm relied on deep institutional experience, a clear strategic vision, and a long-term approach to building sustainable financial institutions in challenging environments.
“We did not begin with financial abundance, but with purpose,” said a company official. “What we had was experience, clarity, and a disciplined understanding of how institutions are built in complex markets.”
That philosophy shaped early decisions, including the opening of the firm’s first office on the fifth floor of Beverly Court in Harare. From inception, Bard Santner set its sights beyond boutique advisory work.
“The intention was always to build an institution capable of operating in Zimbabwe, across Africa, and within global capital markets,” another official noted.
Momentum came quickly. Within three months of launch, the firm advised on a landmark US$100 million transaction in Namibia involving the sale of Grove Mall, signalling its readiness to operate at scale.
International engagement followed.
In 2023, Bard Santner hosted an investor conference at the London Stock Exchange, linking issuers from the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange with global investors. Later that year, the firm formally registered in the United States, extending its institutional presence beyond Africa.
In 2024, Bard Santner intensified efforts to reconnect major industrial players with Zimbabwe, working closely with partners to facilitate the return of the Dangote Group to the local market. These efforts culminated in 2025, when the firm participated in the Afreximbank Conference in Nigeria, opened a South African office, and supported Dangote’s renewed engagement in Zimbabwe.
At the heart of Bard Santner’s work is a guiding principle focused on the efficient, secure, and seamless movement of capital. Company officials say this philosophy underpins all advisory services, cross-border transactions, and institutional partnerships, positioning the firm for continued growth and influence in the global financial sector.
