Online Reporter
Zimbabwe’s agribusiness sector took centre stage on 29 May 2026 as industry leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers and development practitioners gathered at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare for the Agribusiness Excellence Awards Zimbabwe 2026 hosted by the Global Agribusiness Professionals Institute.
Held under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Driving Agricultural Transformation,” the event brought together 187 distinguished guests and recognised outstanding achievement across 43 categories. The awards received an impressive 2,421 nominations, culminating in the recognition of 129 finalists whose work is shaping the future of agriculture and agribusiness in Zimbabwe.
The Agribusiness Excellence Awards Zimbabwe have emerged as a unique platform dedicated exclusively to celebrating excellence across the entire agribusiness value chain. From primary production and agricultural research to agribusiness leadership, finance, technology, extension services, value addition and market development, the awards recognise the individuals and organisations driving agricultural transformation and sustainable economic growth.
At a time when agriculture remains one of Zimbabwe’s most important economic pillars, contributing to food security, employment creation, export growth and rural development, the awards serve as a reminder that progress is driven by people whose innovation, leadership and commitment often go unrecognised.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Jimmyson Kazangarare, whose contribution to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector spans nearly five decades. His leadership and influence within the livestock and crocodile farming industries have helped position Zimbabwe as a respected player in international agricultural markets, making him a fitting recipient of one of the evening’s highest honours.
The ceremony also celebrated a diverse mix of seasoned industry leaders, rising professionals and emerging entrepreneurs, reflecting the depth of talent within Zimbabwe’s agribusiness ecosystem. Among the notable recipients and finalists were Tawanda Nyambirai, Group Chief Executive O cer of TN Cybertech Investment Group; Ivan Craig, Director of Sales, Marketing and Extension Services at AgriSeeds; Rufaro Gunundu, Chief Executive O cer of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society; Tinotenda Mhiko, Chief Executive O cer of ARDA; Grace Musa, Chief Executive O cer of Discovery Coin; Paidamoyo Chadoka, Chief Executive O cer of the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers; Emmanuel Matsvaire, Chief Executive O cer of TIMB; Valerie Madziva, Co-Founder of Eden Chase; Chris McManus, Co-Founder and Director of Petrichor Irrigation; Godfrey Chinoera, Chief Executive O cer of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust; Dr Daniel Myers, Chief Executive O cer of
Zadzamatura; Joylyne Mukandiwa, General Manager of CP Chemicals; Ambassador Rebecca Manford, Managing Director of Cavendish Lloyd Tobacco; David Madyausiku, Chief Executive O cer of NEC Agriculture; Christina Taranhike, popularly known as Mai Chimuti; Joshua Zinzombe, Chief Executive O cer of Green Farms Organics; Mvuselelo Huni, Chief Executive O cer of ORAP; Farai Mutyasera of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe; Dr Edwin Masimba Moyo of Nhimbefresh Exports; Dior Pote of SeedCo; Professor Chris Murungweni of Chinhoyi University of Technology; Marvelous Gondongwe of MADEX; and Isaiah Mharapara of the Agricultural Research Council, among many other distinguished professionals.
Several categories generated significant interest throughout the evening. The Lifetime Achievement Award drew widespread attention, while categories such as Agribusiness Leadership Excellence, Women in Agribusiness Leadership and Creative Problem Solver in Agribusiness showcased individuals who are redefining what is possible within the sector.
The awards also highlighted innovation as a key driver of agricultural transformation. Among the initiatives that attracted attention was the TN Livestock Trust, an innovative livestock financing model designed to unlock value within the livestock sector.
Recognition was also given to Raymag for its pioneering work in rabbit production and value addition, helping address supply deficits while creating new opportunities within Zimbabwe’s livestock industry. Discovery Coin was recognised for its contribution to strengthening food supply chains and providing fresh produce to major retail and supermarket outlets across the country.
Beyond the trophies and accolades, the evening carried a deeper message about the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe.
Speaking during the ceremony, Courage Mashavave, Deputy Group Chief Executive O cer of TN Cybertech Investment Group, highlighted the broader impact of the sector.
“What we are doing here collectively in this room is something that is extremely commendable because apart from everything, we are working towards ensuring that we have healthy communities, that we play our part in eradicating poverty, that we also play our part in empowering communities, and it is something that we ought to be proud of.”
Global Agribusiness Professionals Institute President, Admire Chakanetsa, challenged stakeholders to continue building stronger relationships across the sector. “May tonight mark the beginning of greater collaboration, greater innovation and greater heights for the Zimbabwean agricultural and agribusiness industry.”
The Institute’s Executive Vice President & Partnerships Lead, Chiedza Valerie Maenzanise, reinforced the importance of unity within the sector.
“Collaboration is not weakness. Partnership is not competition. No industry grows when people are building in isolation. The future will belong to those who choose to build together.”
The awards are organised by the Global Agribusiness Professionals Institute (GABPI), a professional body established in 2025 to bridge gaps between industry, academia, professionals, farmers and other stakeholders within the agribusiness ecosystem.
Founded on the belief that agriculture requires stronger coordination, professional development and stakeholder engagement, GABPI focuses on addressing challenges including market access, access to finance, fundability, agribusiness systems development, talent pipeline creation, enterprise growth and stakeholder representation.
The Institute’s vision is to cultivate a world-class agribusiness ecosystem where people, businesses and institutions are equipped to maximise their potential, create lasting value and advance sustainable agricultural development. Its mission is to advance agribusiness excellence by developing people, strengthening enterprises, connecting stakeholders and promoting innovation, sustainability and professional growth across the agricultural value chain.
Today, GABPI works with approximately 17,000 farmers and more than 200 corporates across the agricultural and agribusiness ecosystem through a growing portfolio of programmes and initiatives. These include the Presidential Mentorship Programme chaired by Admire Chakanetsa, the Zimbabwe Annual Agribusiness Leadership Conference, the Agribusiness Career Fair, Agribusiness Excellence Awards Zimbabwe, Agribusiness Excellence Awards Africa and specialised agribusiness masterclasses focused on professional development and industry advancement.
The success of the Agribusiness Excellence Awards Zimbabwe comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector continues to demonstrate resilience and growth. While significant progress has been made over the years, industry leaders agree that substantial opportunities remain, particularly in export development, value addition, agricultural innovation, climate-smart agriculture and access to international markets.
These opportunities will form part of the discussions at the upcoming Zimbabwe Annual Agribusiness Leadership Conference (ZAALC), scheduled for September 2026 at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. Held under the theme, “Rooted in Heritage, Driven by Innovation: Leading Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Future,” the conference will bring together government ministries, senior o cials, farmer unions, agribusinesses, development partners, financial institutions, exporters, commercial farmers, smallholder farmers, investors, academics, students, women-led agricultural enterprises and young entrepreneurs.
The conference will explore key topics including public-private sector collaboration, access to finance and green funding, water security, irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture, livestock
commercialisation and the future of agribusiness ownership in Zimbabwe. Organisers describe the conference as a first-of-its-kind platform designed to develop a practical roadmap for positioning Zimbabwe as a leading agricultural economy and restoring its status as the breadbasket of Africa.
Building on the momentum generated by the Agribusiness Excellence Awards Zimbabwe, GABPI is also preparing to launch the Agribusiness Excellence Awards Africa in November 2026. The continental expansion follows significant interest from agribusiness professionals across Africa following the Zimbabwe edition.
Organisers report receiving numerous requests from stakeholders outside Zimbabwe seeking opportunities to participate in the platform.
The Agribusiness Excellence Awards Africa will be open to participants from all 54 African countries as well as Africans living in the diaspora. More than an awards ceremony, the initiative is being designed as a week-long agribusiness experience featuring networking activities, stakeholder engagements, tourism experiences and strategic conversations focused on strengthening agricultural development across the continent.
The vision is to create a continental platform that reflects the interconnected nature of African economies and promotes collaboration, investment, innovation and knowledge exchange across borders.
For Zimbabwe, hosting the Agribusiness Excellence Awards Africa presents an opportunity to strengthen its position as a hub for agribusiness leadership, agricultural innovation, investment promotion, tourism and continental dialogue.
As GABPI continues implementing its expansion strategy across Africa over the next three years, one thing remains clear: the future of agriculture will belong to those willing to innovate, collaborate and pursue excellence.
The Agribusiness Excellence Awards Zimbabwe 2026 demonstrated that those individuals and organisations already exist. They are leading enterprises, developing solutions, creating opportunities, strengthening value chains and helping shape the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Their recognition is not only a celebration of past achievement. It is an investment in the future of African agribusiness.
