Freehold title deeds to unlock billions

Editorial

Zimbabwe is on the brink of a major agricultural and economic transformation as the Second Republic, under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, moves to convert the longstanding 99‑year agricultural leases into freehold title deeds.

The shift is expected to unlock billions of dollars in investment in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

Government officials say the transition to freehold is one of the most significant reforms introduced since the land redistribution programme, marking a decisive policy shift intended to stabilise the agricultural sector and stimulate long‑term growth.

It is designed to address deep‑rooted structural barriers that have limited productivity for decades, particularly the absence of fully secure and transferable land rights that farmers can use as collateral.

President Mnangagwa’s administration believes the new tenure system will open the door for fresh capital inflows, both domestic and international, while restoring confidence in the land market.

Economic analysts predict that the reform will transform land from a static asset into a productive economic tool capable of driving large-scale investment.

The freehold policy is being viewed as a major turning point because it unlocks capital previously trapped in what has long been termed “dead assets,” thereby enabling farmers to borrow for inputs and infrastructure that can significantly boost production.

It is also expected to strengthen investor confidence by providing clear, bankable property rights, a key requirement for both local financiers and foreign investors.

Furthermore, officials say the reform positions Zimbabwe for reintegration into global financial institutions by aligning land governance with international market norms, marking a shift from politically driven land policies to a more economically pragmatic approach aimed at stabilising the agrarian economy.

Chairman of the Land Tenure Technical Committee, Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, said the issuance of freehold title deeds will be transformative for farmers and the nation.

He said the conversion of land into bankable assets would enable farmers to access loans, invest meaningfully, and build lasting wealth, effectively empowering them and solidifying the gains of the land reform programme.

He indicated that the government aims to issue title deeds to all beneficiaries by mid‑2026, creating a secure and uniform tenure system.

Dr Tagwirei said that the deeds are essential for unlocking capital, integrating farmers into the formal economy, and laying the groundwork for national development.

He stated that repayment systems are already in place through financial institutions such as AFC, CBZ, FBC, and POSB, allowing beneficiaries to service the costs over 20 years.

The reform is set to stimulate fresh investment, expand agricultural output and signal a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s land policy, one that balances historical justice with economic pragmatism.

As Zimbabwe continues its march toward Vision 2030, the freehold transition is being positioned as a cornerstone reform that will reshape the agricultural landscape for generations, modernise land governance and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.

Analysts say the policy has the potential to unlock billions in agricultural value, enabling farmers to mechanise, irrigate and expand production under a strengthened and secure tenure framework.