Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
MORE than 700 white former commercial farmers whose land was repossessed during the fast-track land reform programme are set to receive compensation this year, as Government intensifies efforts to resolve long-standing legacy issues arising from the historic redistribution of land at the turn of the millennium.
Under the Global Compensation Deed (GCD) — a landmark agreement signed between the Government and representatives of former farm owners — Zimbabwe committed to pay US$3,5 billion in compensation to about 3 500 former commercial farmers for improvements made on acquired land.
About 740 farmers are expected to benefit this year from the programme, with Treasury having set aside US$10 million in the 2026 National Budget for progressive payouts.
The compensation programme is a central pillar of Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance and debt resolution strategy and is seen by international financial institutions as a key reform benchmark for restoring the country’s access to concessional funding, grants and debt relief.
Government officials say resolving compensation claims will strengthen investor confidence, undergird the country’s commitment to safeguarding property rights and accelerate re-engagement with institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Treasury has adopted a phased payment model to balance fiscal sustainability with the obligation to honour compensation commitments.
Under the GCD, former farm owners are compensated only for improvements they made on the land — such as infrastructure, buildings, irrigation systems and equipment — and not for the land itself, which was acquired by the State.
Speaking to journalists during a question-and-answer session on the Land Tenure Title Deeds Programme in Harare on Tuesday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the compensation process was ongoing and had been consistently supported through annual budget allocations.
“The compensation of former white commercial farmers is an ongoing process. Within the national fiscal budget, we always put provision for 10 percent every year to pay these farmers and that has been happening religiously over the last few years,” Prof Jiri said.
He said Government had received positive feedback from both local and international stakeholders for maintaining consistency in meeting its obligations.
“We have received reports where most of the countries involved have really applauded the payments by the Government. So, the process continues,” Prof Jiri said.
Treasury has confirmed that the compensation programme is embedded in the Roadmap for Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution, which authorities regard as critical to unlocking concessional financing, stimulating investment and supporting economic growth.
As of September 2025, compensation owed to former farm owners stood at US$3.191 billion, accounting for a significant share of domestic debt.
Government says honouring these obligations is essential to normalising Zimbabwe’s debt profile and strengthening re-engagement efforts with the international community.
In addition to compensation, Prof Jiri said Government was implementing land tenure reforms to improve agricultural productivity and enhance investment security in the sector.
He revealed that unoccupied or abandoned farms — including those previously protected under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs) — are now eligible for title deeds under the ongoing land tenure reform programme.
“Those BIPPA farms which are not occupied are now eligible for title deeds. Before, we would give land to people on derelict or abandoned farms, but with this title deeds programme, if those farms are unoccupied, they can now get title deeds so that they continue with their operations,” he said.
Prof Jiri also said white former commercial farmers who remained on their land after the land reform programme are now eligible for title deeds — a move aimed at ensuring continuity of production, safeguarding investments and stabilising agricultural output.
He said the compensation programme, alongside the issuance of title deeds, would strengthen confidence in Zimbabwe’s land administration system while consolidating the gains of the land reform programme.
Compensation is being paid in line with Section 72 of the Constitution, which states that where land is acquired for public purposes, “no compensation is payable in respect of its acquisition, except for improvements effected on it before its acquisition”.
