International investors have moved to support Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation through a new structured smallholder financing programme targeting rural farmers, in a development expected to accelerate growth in the sector.
The initiative, facilitated by Zimbabwean entrepreneur, David Munowenyu, brings global empowerment organisation U CAN Company (UCANN) into the country to implement a market-driven livelihood programme designed to commercialise smallholder agriculture.
Speaking on the initiative, in Harare recently , Munowenyu said the programme is backed by international capital and will begin its rollout this year across selected provinces, targeting 3 000 to 5 000 farmers growing high-value crops such as chilli, paprika, legumes and horticulture, with the objective of improving incomes, ensuring market access and integrating farmers into formal financial systems.
“This is about structuring agriculture as a bankable sector for smallholder farmers and attracting global capital into Zimbabwe’s rural economy.
“Over 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s economy operates informally. Smallholder farmers are productive but excluded from finance. This model connects them to buyers, finances production and builds a pathway into the formal economy,” he said.
UCANN co-founder Steve Carver, who is already in Harare, said Zimbabwe presents strong potential for impact-driven investment.
“This partnership reflects growing international confidence in Zimbabwe and its ability to build a sustainable, commercially viable agricultural sector,” he said.
The programme is built on UCANN’s Smallholder Inclusive Business Building model, which links farmers to off-take markets before production, provides structured input financing, and tracks output to build credit histories.
Agricultural expert Peter Moyo said the initiative is timely as Zimbabwe pushes to modernise agriculture.
“This signals strong confidence from global investors in Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential and its economic reform trajectory,” he said.
The pilot phase is expected to generate data for scale-up into a national programme targeting over 100 000 farmers, supported by a broader international fundraising pipeline of up to US$1 billion.
South African business leader, Lebo Radebe, said the development aligns with continental priorities.
“Africa must transition from being a consumer economy to a producer economy that adds value to its resources. Zimbabwe is positioning itself within that shift,” he said.
The initiative also supports Zimbabwe’s policy thrust under National Development Strategy 2 and the drive towards value addition and export-led growth championed by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The programme could mark a shift in how smallholder agriculture is financed, moving away from donor dependence towards commercially structured investment models capable of delivering sustainable returns while improving rural livelihoods.
