Online Reporter
Michael Tome-Business Reporter
THE horticulture sector is fast emerging as a new magnet for global capital.
After years on the sidelines, international development finance institutions (DFIs) and private investors are now eyeing the industry as one of the country’s most promising frontiers for sustainable growth, export diversification and climate-resilient agriculture.
This renewed confidence emerged at the Horticulture Development Council (HDC) Investor Forum held in Harare last week, where major global financiers, including the United Kingdom and AgDevCo, a specialist investor in African agriculture, pledged to expand cooperation, financing and trade partnerships with Zimbabwe.
The momentum marks a turning point for a sector that the HDC aims to grow into a US$2,5 billion industry by 2030, powered by value addition, sustainable farming and smallholder participation.
Why investors are taking notice
Investors say Zimbabwe’s fertile soils, reliable sunlight, and diverse microclimates make it one of the most competitive horticulture producers in Southern Africa.
More importantly, they point to the Government’s commitment to the ease of doing business and ongoing efforts to streamline agricultural investment processes as key drivers of renewed investor appetite.
At the forum, the UK’s Deputy Ambassador for Trade and Investment, Dr Joanne Abbot, said London’s new trade strategy — launched in 2025 — places international agricultural partnerships at the heart of global economic cooperation, with Zimbabwe featuring prominently.
“The horticulture sector is a real priority for us in the UK, and in 2025, the UK launched a new trade strategy which puts international partnerships at the core of economic growth, as we would want to help deliver on this US$2,5 billion target,” said Dr Abbot.
“Hence, we want to be involved at lots of different levels, strategically and practically, and do that through the right partnerships and investments.”
She said Britain will continue supporting Zimbabwe’s horticultural revival through the Zimbabwe Economic Stability and Transformation (ZEST) Programme, now in its third year.
The initiative provides institutional support to the HDC and aligns Zimbabwe’s horticultural financing frameworks with global sustainability standards — including Green Climate Fund (GCF) eligibility and carbon credit financing.
Trade between the UK and Zimbabwe has grown by 16 percent to £400 million (about US$525 million) over the past year, buoyed by the Economic Partnership Agreement that grants duty-free access for Zimbabwean produce.
Private capital re-enters Zimbabwe
One of the strongest signals of investor confidence came from AgDevCo, which announced plans to enter Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector — a major milestone given its cautious investment approach.
The fund, which manages US$390 million across Africa, has received board and shareholder approval to begin investing in Zimbabwe, targeting high-value crops such as blueberries, citrus and macadamia nuts.
“We now have, as a business, approval at the board and shareholder level to begin to invest in Zimbabwean agribusiness,” said AgDevCo CEO Mr Daniel Hulls.
“It is not a decision we take lightly. Our analysis highlights the exceptional potential here.
“Although World Bank indicators suggest that it will be one of the hardest places for us to do business, our judgment is that certain aspects will be no different from other countries in the region. We will go slowly, learn as we go, and hopefully build our exposure over time.”
Initial investment commitments are expected to range between US$3 million and US$5 million, with focus on export-oriented crops that earn hard currency and have short payback cycles.
HDC data shows that blueberry exports alone have grown more than fivefold in the past four years, driven by smallholder outgrower schemes and increased private sector investment.
Building confidence through reforms
While investors are warming to Zimbabwe, DFIs underscored the need for predictable policy frameworks, secure land tenure and improved logistics, particularly cold-chain infrastructure and export certification systems.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union executive director Mr Paul Zakaria welcomed the growing interest, saying it reflected confidence in the reforms being implemented by Government.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries chief executive Ms Sekai Kuvarika agreed, describing the re-engagement by financiers as a seal of approval for Zimbabwe’s improving business environment.
“The gesture and interest by financiers is heart-warming, especially when we are coming from a period where Zimbabwe was considered hostile and not conducive for funding and investment.
“However, Government needs to continue working on ease of doing business and sustained macroeconomic stability,” said Ms Kuvarika.
Local funding initiatives gain traction
Several regional and local financiers have also expressed commitment to supporting the horticulture value chain.
Institutions such as Afreximbank, the Trade and Development Bank, and the World Bank have all indicated potential support for Zimbabwe’s agribusiness sector.
Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe has proposed a US$50 million Horticulture Investment Fund for Enhanced Climate Resilience, which is currently under review by the GCF.
The fund aims to finance irrigation infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture and value addition in horticultural clusters nationwide.
The Government, on its part, is administering a US$30 million Horticulture Export Revolving Fund, providing affordable financing to exporters and producers of high-value crops such as blueberries, citrus, macadamia and cut flowers.
Challenges remain
Despite the optimism, structural constraints persist.
Farmers continue to cite high input costs, limited access to long-term credit and foreign currency retention thresholds as major obstacles to competitiveness.
Still, stakeholders remain confident that with sustained reforms, private investment and targeted Government support, Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector could soon blossom into one of Africa’s leading export success stories.
