Zimbabwe targets US$16bn land windfall in title deeds push

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Land Tenure Implementation Committee says it has made significant progress in a sweeping reform programme aimed at converting agricultural land into a productive economic asset, with projections of generating up to US$16 billion over the next 20 years.

Speaking at the Zim CEOs Policy Roundtable in Victoria Falls, committee chairperson Kudakwashe Tagwirei said the initiative seeks to empower more than 360 000 farmers by issuing bankable title deeds, replacing the current system of offer letters and permits.

"The President, in his wisdom, realised all these challenges that we are facing. He said, what is the best solution? Let us just give these people a title to solve this problem," Tagwirei said.

For years, farmers operating under offer letters have struggled to access financing due to lack of secure tenure, while also facing uncertainty over land ownership. The new programme aims to address these constraints by enabling farmers to use land as collateral.

The committee, which includes representatives from youth groups, women, war veterans, financial institutions and the private sector, is tasked with overseeing legal compliance, land valuation, digitisation and stakeholder engagement.

Among those supporting the initiative are war veteran Happison Muchechetere and agricultural economist Mandivamba Rukuni.

Central to the reform is the conversion of land holdings into title deeds, supported by incentives such as a 60% discount on land valuations to improve farmers' borrowing capacity. Additional concessions include a 15% discount for war veterans and preferential pricing for the first six hectares.

Government employees are also set to benefit from smaller discounts, while the broader aim is to unlock capital for farm development and productivity.

The programme is expected to channel revenue into an escrow account, with 22.5% earmarked for compensating former commercial farmers. The remainder will support debt reduction, infrastructure development, agricultural financing, and assistance for war veterans and traditional leaders.

"Government cannot give land for free," Tagwirei said, citing constitutional provisions requiring land to be allocated for value.

To support productivity, the committee is rolling out "booster kits" for A1 farmers, which include boreholes, irrigation systems, inputs and infrastructure, financed over seven to ten years. Insurance cover for drought and fire is also being introduced.

The initiative is targeting the development of 360 000 hectares of irrigated A1 land within the next decade, with a focus on high-value crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions, maize and wheat.

Officials say the reforms could significantly boost agricultural output and contribute to long-term economic growth, with projections suggesting Zimbabwe's economy could reach US$258 billion by 2050 if land is fully utilised.

The committee is expected to continue nationwide consultations, with its next stakeholder engagement scheduled for Chiredzi in June.