Zimbabwe Begins First $3m Payments to White Farmers

For the first time, the Zimbabwean government has started making payments to white former commercial farmers whose land was taken during the land reform program that began in the early 2000s. This marks a major step in trying to fix past economic problems and improve Zimbabwe’s image globally.

What Happened in the Past?

In the early 2000s, the government took land from about 4,000 white commercial farmers and gave it to Black Zimbabweans, most of them war veterans and rural citizens. While the goal was to fix land ownership imbalances from colonial times, the way it was done led to chaos. Farms were taken without paying the owners, food production dropped, and Zimbabwe’s economy went into crisis.

A Promise Made in 2020

In 2020, the government signed a deal called the Global Compensation Deed. Under this deal, Zimbabwe promised to pay $3.5 billion to the affected white farmers, but until now, no real payments had been made.

This week, that changed.

What Was Paid?

The government made its first payment worth $100 million:

• $3.1 million was paid in cash.
• $307.9 million was given in Treasury bonds (a type of government IOU that farmers can cash in later).

This is only a small part of the full $3.5 billion promised, but it is still an important step.

Why Is This Important?

This payment is not just about the farmers. It’s also about:

• Rebuilding trust with international banks like the IMF and World Bank.
• Attracting investors who want to see respect for property rights.
• Trying to fix Zimbabwe’s economy, which is still recovering from years of decline.

Is There Any Criticism?

Yes. Some people say:

• The money should be used to help poor Zimbabweans first.
• Paying farmers in bonds might not be as helpful as cash.
• It’s just a small part of what’s owed, and many farmers are still waiting.

But supporters say it’s a good start that shows the government wants to make things right.

Looking Ahead

Zimbabwe still has a long way to go. But this payment sends a message: the country is trying to move forward, fix its past mistakes, and open up to the world again.