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ZimTrade has launched the 2025 edition of Eagles’ Nest Agri-Challenge, an edition that has a specific focus on amplifying the role of young people in driving Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation.
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with PUM, a Netherlands-based organisation that will provide expert guidance to participants.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, employing almost 70 percent of the population and contributing approximately 17 percent to the country’s GDP.
As a vital sector, it not only feeds the nation but also drives economic growth and fuels exports. Given its significance, it is crucial to harness the energy and innovation of young people to further boost this critical segment of the economy.
Globally, agriculture employs around 30,5 percent of young people, while in Zimbabwe, the figure stands at 37 percent.
This highlights the sector’s significant potential to absorb and empower youth.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Eagles’ Nest Agri-Challenge initiative’s focus is youth empowerment and inclusive development, which perfectly aligns with the Government of Zimbabwe’s national priorities.
The Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge 2025 is not a once-off campaign but a comprehensive export incubator designed for long-term impact. Roughly 50 youth-led agro-businesses will participate in this intensive, hands-on training covering key areas such as export packaging and branding, financial literacy, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property protection.
These young entrepreneurs will receive expert guidance from both local and international specialists, gaining practical experience in building competitive businesses and accessing real export opportunities.
The programme’s focus extends beyond theoretical knowledge, but it aims to create tangible business outcomes.
Entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, with the journey being showcased for the first time today.
To inspire a wider audience of aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide, the entire process will be documented in a 13-episode televised series, bringing the challenges and successes to life. Representing Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira at the launch event, permanent secretary Albert Chimbindi said the programme seeks to nurture a new wave of agri-preneurs who are not only farmers but also exporters, driving the country’s agricultural sector forward in the process.
“Despite its potential, we know that youth participation in agriculture remains limited largely due to structural challenges, limited access to land, finance, and markets, and negative perceptions about farming as a viable career.
“The Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge seeks to flip that narrative on its head. It will cultivate a new generation of agripreneurs, young Zimbabweans who are not just farmers, but innovators, value creators, exporters, and nation-builders. Our youth are the future stewards of Zimbabwe’s agricultural legacy,” said Minister Murwira. In her remarks at the launch event, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe, Dr Margret Verwijk, said this initiative closely aligns with the Netherlands’ priorities of promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing trade.
“We are particularly enthusiastic about this initiative because it aligns closely with two key priorities for the Netherlands: promoting sustainable agriculture and boosting trade.
“The Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge brings these priorities to life and, we hope, will result in more trade between the Netherlands and Zimbabwe somewhere down the line,” said Ambassador Verwijk.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru said the Eagle Nest programme was a brainchild of genuine interactions with young, driven entrepreneurs across Zimbabwe who possess innovative ideas, unrelenting passion, and a strong desire to tap into export opportunities. “While the competition launches today, we know the real value lies in what comes after: businesses that scale and brands that reach global shelves. This is how we grow Zimbabwe’s exporter base and transform agriculture into a viable, youth-driven force in our economy.
“We had no option, and together with you and our partners, we had to enter the arena by bringing an agriculture and youth-oriented export capacity building programme,
The Eagles Nest Youth Export Incubator Agri-Challenge. The Agri-Challenge is an initiative that is meant to harness the potential of our youth and convert it to current and future prosperity,” said Mr Majuru.
He said the African Development Bank has noted that the next generation of African billionaires will emerge from agri-business, with Africa’s youthful population being a key competitive advantage.
This year’s Eagles’ Nest Agri-Challenge Judges are Mr. Clarence Mwale, chief executive officer of Kuminda, Commercial Director at Cicada Ms Karen Jiri, Mr Roelof Nugteren of Luxaflor Roses and Ms Krystal Chindori–Chininga. The ZimTrade Eagle nest programme is a youth export incubation initiative designed to nurture youth-led Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into export-ready companies. The programme’s primary objectives are multifaceted, focusing on empowering youth-led businesses by equipping young entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and knowledge to create sustainable export enterprises. This, in turn, guarantees future trade success for Zimbabwe.
Another key objective is to enhance export market readiness, where youth-owned SMEs are equipped with the expertise to meet international market requirements.
This boosts their competitiveness and global market presence, allowing them to thrive in the export arena.
The programme also provides mentorship and support to selected businesses, offering guidance from industry experts, access to funding, and market linkages that facilitate global business expansion.
