Faith Nyasuguta
Zimbabwe has begun making compensation payments to white farmers who were displaced during the country’s controversial land reform program. The government has disbursed $3.1 million in the first phase, covering infrastructure losses on 378 farms. This marks the start of a broader $311 million compensation plan that was agreed upon in 2020.
According to government officials, the current payments are for farm infrastructure such as buildings, irrigation systems, and other fixed assets, not the land itself. To support future payments, the government has approved the use of treasury bonds, which will cover the balance of the agreed amount over time. These bonds are expected to mature between two and ten years, though concerns remain over their long-term financial sustainability.
The compensation agreement was reached between the Zimbabwean government and former commercial farm owners. It aims to resolve disputes that began when thousands of white farmers were forcibly evicted from their land under a land redistribution policy initiated in the early 2000s.
The policy, designed to address historical land ownership imbalances dating back to colonial rule, led to a collapse in agricultural production, widespread economic decline, and the imposition of international sanctions.
In addition to compensating Zimbabwean nationals, the government has allocated $20 million for foreign white farmers whose land was protected under bilateral agreements but was still seized. These farmers, hailing from countries with legal accords with Zimbabwe, began receiving payments earlier this year. The move is seen as an effort to rebuild trust with the international community and work toward resolving the country’s long standing debt crisis.
Officials view the compensation program as part of a wider economic recovery and debt clearance plan, with hopes that these efforts will help normalize relations with Western nations and unlock access to international financial support. However, the government still faces a massive $3.5 billion total compensation obligation, and it remains unclear how the full amount will be raised.
The launch of compensation payments marks a major turning point in Zimbabwe’s land and economic policy. For years, the land issue has been a source of political tension and economic hardship. By beginning this process, Zimbabwe hopes to demonstrate its commitment to fairness, financial accountability, and reconciliation, both locally and internationally. Whether these steps will be enough to restore confidence in Zimbabwe’s economy remains to be seen.
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