Vongai Masuka

China has pledged a grant of over US$55 million to Zimbabwe earmarked for critical sectors including agriculture, food relief, and economic planning.

The agreement, signed yesterday in Harare, focuses on people centered development to support Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

A great portion of the grant is allocated for direct food aid from China.

The funding will also support agricultural initiatives and the cultivation of high-value crops such as mushrooms, to create income streams for rural women and youth.

China will also dispatch a team of technical experts to assist with macroeconomic policy and planning.

The grant is set to promote economic growth and create new income opportunities, particularly for rural women and youth.

A portion of the funds will support the cultivation of crops like mushrooms, which are fast-growing, high-value, and can be grown in small spaces.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to improve policy, planning, and project implementation, with the goal of stabilizing prices and improving service delivery over time.

It is the latest in a series of Chinese-backed infrastructure and development projects in Zimbabwe, which also includes the expansion of the Hwange Power Station.