Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Zimbabwe government, through the Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion ministry, and the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe has vowed to continue with their efforts to improve people’s lives through the signing of the China Aid Upgrade and maintenance of irrigation schemes project.
The signing ceremony took place at the Finance ministry boardroom in Harare, where Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube signed letters of exchange, where the Chinese government vowed to continue to support Zimbabwe in implementing the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which aims to promote economic development and set Zimbabwe as an upper-middle income country by 2030.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ncube said China had proven to be a steadfast ally, consistently providing invaluable support to the people of Zimbabwe.
“Your Excellency, Zimbabwe sincerely appreciates and acknowledges the Emergency Food Assistance continuously received from the People’s Republic of China. You will recall that we recently signed an exchange of letters worth RMB 50 million (approx. US$7,1million) for food assistance in the form of white rice in August 2025,” he said.
“The People’s Republic of China has, indeed, proven to be a steadfast ally, consistently providing invaluable support to the people of Zimbabwe.”
According to the agreement on aid, China will fund the drilling of 300 boreholes, the Juncao Technology Assistance Project and a Policy Consultation initiative.
So far, 234 of the planned boreholes have been completed, 66 in Mashonaland East, 100 in Manicaland and 68 in Masvingo provinces, leaving 66 boreholes in Midlands still underway.
“The Juncao Technology Assistance Project introduces Juncao technology to Zimbabwe, a China-developed innovation that enables small-scale farmers to cultivate a hybrid grass rich in protein,” Ncube said.
“This sustainable technique supports mushroom and livestock production while helping to combat desertification.”
Through the Policy Consultation Project, China has been supporting Zimbabwe through a range of capacity-building initiatives, including assistance in the development of special economic zones, State-owned enterprise reforms and policy formulation that aligns with NDS2.
Recently, China pledged RMB1,330 billion (approx. US$189 million) to the 17th African Development Fund’s (ADF 17th) Replenishment Cycle during the recently concluded pledging session in London, the United Kingdom, representing a 40% increase from China’s pledge towards AFD 16th Replenishment.
“Today, we will exchange Letters for the Upgrading and Maintenance of Irrigation Schemes Project, which will be financed under the Economic and Technical Co-operation Agreement signed in June 2019.”
Zhou said the signing ceremony between the two countries showed close partnership between Harare and Beijing, and will help improve agricultural production through improved irrigation systems.
“Today’s signing ceremony marks another milestone in our close partnership. The irrigation project, funded by the Chinese government, will upgrade and renovate nine key irrigation facilities across six provinces in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“It is designed to unlock greater productivity for smallholder farmers, catalyse agricultural modernisation, and strengthen the nation’s resilience to climate change.”
The relation between China and Zimbabwe dates back to the war of liberation in which the Asian nation supported Zimbabwe.
According to the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), close to 500 new Chinese businesses have registered in Zimbabwe since January, with projected investments totalling US$2,5 billion, making China one of Zimbabwe’s largest sources of foreign investment.
“This year, our bilateral trade continues its strong momentum, which is poised to surpass last year’s historic record of US$3,8 billion,” Zhou said.
As a way to strengthen bilateral ties, in June, China officially announced zero-tariff treatment for exports from all 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe.
This policy will significantly expand access for Zimbabwean products to the vast Chinese market, stimulate local industrial growth, and foster job creation.
Zhou said China is looking forward to working with Zimbabwean partners to advance transformational initiatives.
“This initiative represents more than market access; it is a commitment to mutual development and a rejection of global protectionism,” he said.
“In 2025, we have continued to support Zimbabwe through various assistance projects. Apart from large infrastructure projects, we have focused on people-centred livelihood initiatives.”
China said it would continue to support Zimbabwe to achieve NDS2 and the development of the national economy, including infrastructure and food security.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to support our all-weather friend Zimbabwe in realising its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030,” the Chinese envoy
said.
“I look forward to working with Zimbabwean colleagues to further prioritise and better utilise grants of the Chinese government, ensuring they effectively benefit Zimbabwe’s social-economic growth and the well-being of its people.”
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