Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
Zimbabwe and Mozambique yesterday jointly launched two €9 million projects that are going to be at the heart of transfrontier collaborative conservation efforts that span across the national borders of the two neighbouring countries.
Broadly, the projects seek to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of resources, improve sustainable wildlife management, and food security, among other issues.
Officials from the two countries and their multilateral partners hailed the projects as a milestone for sustainable stewardship of shared natural resources.
What are the two projects that were launched by Zimbabwe and Mozambique?
The Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands Project and the Zimbabwe–Mozambique Agriculture Value Chain and Trade Development Project (Zim-Moza ATDP) are the two regional initiatives that were jointly launched by Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Who is the main funding partner for these two projects?
Funding for these projects was made possible through a €9 million facility from the Italian government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
Which organisation is providing technical support for these regional initiatives?
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is the technical partner for these joint projects and will work closely with a wide range of organisations and entities to help the two countries to, among other issues, achieve goals of food security, nutrition, and agricultural development.
What is the goal of these two regional projects?
Implementing partners say these projects are designed to tackle two interlinked regional challenges: the urgent need to restore and sustainably manage Miombo woodlands, and the opportunity to unlock inclusive economic growth through structured cross-border agricultural trade. Together, they reflect a strong commitment to climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and regional integration in Southern Africa.
Where will the projects be implemented?
With a combined budget of nearly €9 million, the initiatives will operate across shared border areas of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, enabling communities to improve ecosystem health, strengthen value chains, and participate more effectively in domestic, regional, and international markets. Areas include Manicaland province in Zimbabwe and Sofala and Manica provinces in Mozambique.
What is the rationale behind the implementation of these two regional projects?
Partners of these two projects say the projects are based on a shared vision — to contribute to the resilience, sustainability, and regional integration of Southern Africa by promoting natural and productive resources through equitable, inclusive, and cooperative approaches between the two countries.
The Zim-Moza ATDP seeks to strengthen agricultural trade between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with particular emphasis on developing sustainable value chains, improving market access, and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The Zim-Moza ATDP project targets to address some of the challenges through three main fronts:
Development of agricultural value chains (fruits, vegetables, cereals, oilseeds), involving over 4 500 small producers (with at least 40 percent women), using outgrower models, quality certifications, and technical training. Reform and harmonisation of trade policies between the two countries, aligning sanitary protocols and investing in border control laboratories (Machipanda and Forbes).
Trade promotion and investment attraction, organising B2B events, business missions, participation in fairs, and export subsidies.
Rationale for Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands Project
Partners say this second complementary project focuses on the protection and sustainable use of the Miombo woodlands, a vital ecosystem for biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of rural families, yet threatened by extensive deforestation, unsustainable use of natural resources, and the lack of viable economic alternatives. Miombo woodlands have been a source of life, resilience, and identity for people in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
These woodlands — among the largest dry forest ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa — stretch across more than 2,7 million square kilometres and support over 100 million people across Southern Africa.
In Zimbabwe and Mozambique, they form the backbone of rural livelihoods, offering timber, fuelwood, medicinal plants, food, and vital ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation.
“The Miombo is not only a biological haven — home to elephants, lions, birds, and countless endemic species — it is also a critical climate buffer. These woodlands sequester millions of tons of carbon annually, making them vital allies in our fight against climate change. Yet, this rich and irreplaceable resource is increasingly under threat,” the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife said at the launch.
“Deforestation, overharvesting, uncontrolled fires, increasing human and wildlife populations, and the impacts of climate change have placed the Miombo under tremendous pressure. These threats do not respect political boundaries. The degradation of these ecosystems compromises food security, water availability, biodiversity, and ultimately, the well-being of the very communities who depend on them most.
“In response, this project seeks not only to manage the Miombo woodlands — but to restore, protect, and unlock their full value in a way that is ecologically sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically transformative. It is about more than environmental conservation; it is about people, prosperity, and partnership.”
Additionally, what mandates do these projects help Zimbabwe and Mozambique fulfil?
These regional initiatives help the two neighbouring countries to fulfil some of their obligations under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Forestry (2002) and the Maputo Declaration (2022) on sustainable and integrated management of Miombo woodlands. Building on these frameworks, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have signed a bilateral agreement for transboundary integrated management of their shared Miombo ecosystem, aiming to restore degraded areas, promote sustainable use, and enhance resilience through joint planning and stakeholder engagement.
What are some of the gaps and challenges?
The success of these regional initiatives will hinge on robust partnerships among governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and local communities. Maintaining inclusive stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with national and regional strategies, and adopting international best practices could help the projects succeed.
“Despite our collective efforts, a significant funding gap continues to hinder the effective management and restoration of the Miombo woodlands. Implementing sustainable forestry practices, investing in alternative livelihoods, scaling up climate-smart agriculture, and building the capacity of local institutions all require substantial financial resources — resources that have historically fallen short of the scale required,” said the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Prof Obert Jiri.
What is the significance of the projects?
These two initiatives are closely interconnected, and partners believe that the projects have the potential to promote economic inclusion of women, youth, and MSMEs and enhance the environmental and social resilience of project stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Above all, these projects represent a concrete commitment by Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Italy, and other key multilateral agencies and organisations to promote rural development, environmental protection, and economic integration in Southern Africa.
