Zimbabwe, Qatar seal major deals and welcome US$19B investment

ZIMBABWE/QATAR – Zimbabwe and Qatar have signed three key agreements in Harare to boost agriculture, investment, and industry.

Those pacts followed the arrival of a Qatari royal delegation in Victoria Falls carrying promises of US$19 billion in new investment.

Agriculture and Rural Development Authority chief executive Tinotenda Mhiko signed one agreement with Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings chairman Nidal Ammache.

Mhiko said that this agreement marks a “landmark and defining moment” and that they will work together in seven key areas, including irrigation and dairy processing.

The second agreement, a framework deal, involved Mutapa Investment Fund CEO Dr John Mangudya and Al Mansour. Dr Mangudya stressed the need to revive the Cold Storage Company. “We need investment in the Cold Storage Company.

That investment can either be made by the Government or through joint ventures in the development of beef production in the country,” he said.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu signed the third agreement with His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani. Dr Martin Rushwaya, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, witnessed all the signings.

Simultaneously, His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani led a senior Qatari delegation to Victoria Falls.

They landed vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic prospects. Ambassador Mahomed Jassat said, “I promised our President Mnangagwa that we would bring investment from Qatar. We envisaged that they are going to invest approximately US $19 billion into the economy.”

He added, “I am proud to be back home. I am proud to have brought the investment back into Zimbabwe and we really look forward to the Mansour Group and the State of Qatar for doing business.”

Nidal Ammach outlined a broad focus for that investment. “We are doing agriculture, livestock, food security as well as tourism. We are very passionate about tourism, affordable housing, cyber security, ports, and airports, just name it,” he said. He also said they plan long-term investments, including “one black 5 star hotel.”

That three-day visit also featured formal ceremonies, a press briefing, a meeting between President Mnangagwa and the Emir’s representative, and tours of key national infrastructure and projects.

Wider Economic Context

Officials say those agreements and the new capital will help push Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector toward a projected US$13.75 billion by end of 2025.

Agriculture already supports two-thirds of the population and contributes about 18 percent of GDP. The funding should help upgrade systems, bring in climate-smart farming methods, and strengthen livestock production through beef projects and the Cold Storage Company.

Beyond Zimbabwe, several African initiatives also push soil health and farming innovation. The African Union backs regenerative soil work under the Soil Initiative for Africa.

Groups like Sasakawa Africa Association advance composting and biochar practices. Heifer International and AYuTe NextGen raised US$11 million to support youth-led agri-tech, affecting 3.5 million smallholder households across the continent.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.