Zimbabwe, AFDB Forge Strategic Path for Agricultural Transformation

On the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, Permanent Secretary, Professor Dr. Obert Jiri convened a high-level engagement with the African Development Bank (AFDB) team, led by Madame Marie Clare Kalihangabo, Coordinator, and Mr Noel Ujeneza, Program Development Specialist. The talks centred on consolidating gains in Zimbabwe’s agriculture while charting new frontiers of growth.

Madame Kalihangabo revealed that the current AFDB-supported programme will conclude in October 2025, after which, as she stated, “a new agricultural product will be introduced to strengthen farmers’ access to critical resources.” Discussions also spotlighted the fertilizer facility backed by the Agricultural Financial Services Group (AFSG), enabling farmers to access inputs upfront and reimburse after harvest—a model expected to revolutionize fertilizer uptake.

A flagship US\$6 million project targeting Masvingo and Matabeleland South, designed to cover all Village Business Units (VBUs) while deepening commercial farming, was also underscored Plans are already in motion to expand the VBU model, dubbed “version 4.1,” to additional provinces.
A flagship US\$6 million project targeting Masvingo and Matabeleland South, designed to cover all Village Business Units (VBUs) while deepening commercial farming, was also underscored Plans are already in motion to expand the VBU model, dubbed “version 4.1,” to additional provinces.

Professor Jiri applauded the African Fertilizer and Farm Inputs Mechanism (AFFM), stressing that “their commitment over the next five years will be pivotal to Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation.” AFFM, in turn, affirmed its intent to replicate Zimbabwe’s VBU model as a benchmark across Africa.

This strategic collaboration signals a decisive step toward sustainable productivity, resilient farming systems, and inclusive agricultural growth.