Zimbabwe to Return 67 Farms Seized During Land Reform Programme in Effort to Rebuild Trust With Western Nations
By TUW
Zimbabwe has announced plans to hand back 67 farms that were previously seized from foreign nationals during the country’s land reform programme, in what authorities describe as part of wider efforts to rebuild trust with Western nations.
The farms belong to citizens from Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands, countries that had investment protection agreements with Zimbabwe. Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka confirmed the development while addressing lawmakers on Wednesday.
According to the government, the move is aimed at resolving long-standing disputes linked to land ownership and improving Zimbabwe’s relationship with international partners and investors.
Zimbabwe’s land reform programme, introduced in the early 2000s under former President Robert Mugabe, saw thousands of white-owned commercial farms taken over by the state for redistribution to Black Zimbabweans. While the programme was presented as an attempt to correct colonial-era land inequalities, it also led to major economic difficulties, including a decline in agricultural production and strained ties with Western countries.
Since taking office, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sought to re-engage with international lenders and foreign governments in an effort to revive the country’s economy and attract investment. Resolving disputes related to seized farms has been viewed as one of the key conditions for improving those relations.
Zimbabwe is also facing a heavy foreign debt burden, with billions of dollars owed to international creditors. Authorities hope that addressing compensation and land ownership issues could help unlock future financial support and debt restructuring talks.
The government previously agreed to compensate former commercial farmers for infrastructure and improvements made on the acquired land, although progress on payments has been slow due to financial constraints.
