Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Herald Correspondent
THE tobacco sector has received global and national recognition for innovation, reinforcing the country’s transition from traditional farming methods to technology-driven, value-adding systems central to the just-ended National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030.
Under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, Zimbabwe seeks to build a US$7 billion tobacco industry, significantly increasing value addition from the current levels and reducing the long-standing export of raw leaf.
The sector, which produced a record 354,8 million kilogrammes of tobacco this year and earned US$1,17 billion, is already demonstrating the impact of innovation-led recovery.
The latest boost came at the World Tobacco Conference Middle East, held on November 11–12 in Dubai — the largest tobacco business exhibition outside Europe — where Zimbabwean agritech start-up Modernleaf AI won the prestigious Innovation Award.
In a statement, the company said the award was just a clear indication of what Zimbabwe is capable of doing in the sector on a global level.
“This award does not belong to the company, but it is a national recognition internationally,” read part of the statement..
“The award recognises groundbreaking technological advancements that are reshaping the global tobacco value chain, highlighting Modernleaf AI’s commitment to modernising agricultural practices, improving crop quality and enhancing economic efficiency for farmers and exporters across Africa.”
The firm, which applies artificial intelligence to tobacco production systems, has been working closely with Kutsaga, the national tobacco research institution.
Modernleaf AI said this partnership “accelerated the development of intelligent farming applications that provide growers with real-time analytics on weather patterns, pest and disease detection, soil health, and optimal curing techniques — resulting in higher yields and improved leaf quality.”
Kutsaga CEO, Dr Frank Magama, — who had been selected as one of the judges for the Dubai awards but could not travel due to prior commitments — said the global achievement reflects Zimbabwe’s strengthened innovation ecosystem.
The recognition in Dubai was followed by two major national honours for Dr Magama on Friday last week.
The Zimbabwe CEO Network named him the Platinum Winner – Outstanding Top CEO, celebrating leaders who demonstrate exemplary commitment to shared institutional purpose.
“At Kutsaga, we deliberately charted a transformative path — reshaping institutional culture “and expanding our science and innovations beyond tobacco,” said Dr Magama.
To have our efforts recognised so early by the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network… is both an honor and a powerful endorsement of the direction we have chosen.”
On the same day, the Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe (ICDZ) listed him among the 100 Most Influential CEOs in Zimbabwe 2025, under the category Most Influential CEO – Commercial Farming.
“We at Kutsaga are truly ecstatic to have received two prestigious national honours,” Dr Maga said.
“This recognition validates the transformative work we are undertaking to reposition Kutsaga as a driver of innovation and prosperity.
“It is a powerful motivator as we look ahead to 2026 with renewed vigor… Our mission is clear: to expand the frontiers of science and innovation beyond tobacco and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.”
The awards, he said, both global and national, confirm that Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector is firmly on course to becoming a technology-driven, value-added, globally competitive industry, in line with national economic blueprints.
