China vows to continue giving Zimbabwe a shoulder to lean on

The Zimbabwean government, through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe have reaffirmed their commitment to improving livelihoods through the signing of the China Aid Upgrade and Maintenance of Irrigation Schemes Project.

The ceremony, held at the Finance Ministry boardroom in Harare, saw Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding and Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube exchange letters confirming China's continued support for Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income country by 2030.

"Zimbabwe sincerely appreciates and acknowledges the Emergency Food Assistance continuously received from the People's Republic of China," Minister Ncube said. He highlighted a recent August 2025 agreement worth RMB 50 million (approximately US$7.1 million) for food assistance, in the form of white rice.

Under the new agreement, China will fund the drilling of 300 boreholes, implement the Juncao Technology Assistance Project, and support a Policy Consultation initiative. To date, 234 boreholes have been completed across Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo, with the remaining 66 in Midlands province underway.

"The Juncao Technology Assistance Project introduces a China-developed innovation that enables small-scale farmers to cultivate hybrid protein-rich grass," Ncube said. "This sustainable technique supports mushroom and livestock production while helping to combat desertification."

The Policy Consultation initiative includes capacity-building support in the development of special economic zones, reforms for state-owned enterprises, and policy formulation aligned with NDS2 goals.

Ambassador Zhou emphasized the significance of the irrigation project, which will upgrade and renovate nine key irrigation facilities across six provinces, aiming to enhance smallholder productivity, promote agricultural modernisation, and improve resilience to climate change.

"Today's signing ceremony marks another milestone in our close partnership," Zhou said. "It is designed to unlock greater productivity for smallholder farmers and strengthen the nation's resilience to climate change."

China's engagement with Zimbabwe dates back to the liberation struggle, and in recent years, the partnership has expanded significantly. According to the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), nearly 500 new Chinese businesses have registered in Zimbabwe since January, with projected investments totalling US$2.5 billion, making China one of Zimbabwe's largest foreign investors.

Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to surpass last year's record of US$3.8 billion, bolstered by China's zero-tariff policy for exports from all 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe. This policy is expected to expand market access, stimulate industrial growth, and create jobs locally.

Looking forward, Zhou reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Zimbabwe's NDS2 and Vision 2030 objectives. "We will continue to work with Zimbabwean colleagues to prioritise and effectively utilise Chinese grants, ensuring they benefit social-economic growth and the well-being of Zimbabwean citizens," he said.

The project reflects the ongoing "all-weather" partnership between Harare and Beijing, focused on infrastructure, food security, and livelihood initiatives aimed at transforming Zimbabwe's economic landscape.