Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe and Mozambique on Wednesday jointly launched two ambitious Transboundary initiatives aimed at tackling environmental degradation and unlocking regional agricultural trade.
The projects, focusing on sustainable management of the Miombo woodlands
and cross-border agricultural value chain development, mark a new
chapter in bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring Southern
African countries.
Collectively funded by the Government of Italy through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and implemented with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the two governments, the projects represent a combined investment of 8.5 million Euros.
The first of the two initiatives, titled Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands, aims to restore forest landscapes, promote sustainable land-use practices, and enhance cross-border collaboration between the two countries in forest governance.
The Miombo forests are a lifeline to rural communities, providing timber, medicinal plants, and non-timber forest products that support household economies and ecological balance.
However, increasing pressures from illegal logging, land degradation, and climate variability have placed the ecosystem under significant stress.
The second initiative, the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Agricultural Value Chain and Trade Development Project (Zim-Moza ATDP), seeks to identify and develop key agricultural value chains for bilateral trade.
It will also enhance the capacity of policy actors in both countries to align national frameworks with regional trade agreements and foster structured market linkages, particularly through the strategically positioned Beira Corridor.
Speaking at the launch event, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, described the launch as a “defining moment” in regional collaboration.
“It is a great pleasure to inaugurate these two projects which embody our shared vision as Zimbabwe and Mozambique. These are not merely development projects, they are strategic instruments to unlock economic growth and to urgently restore our Miombo forests,” he said.
Professor Jiri emphasized the need to combat unsustainable land use, deforestation, and climate change, which have long threatened the integrity of the Miombo ecosystem, an expansive woodland belt that spans several Southern African countries and supports millions of rural livelihoods.
“Today is a day to challenge these challenges through collaboration, through innovation, and through unity of purpose,” he said.
Mozambican secretary of State for Land and Environment, Gustavo Sorbhino Dgedge, expressed gratitude to Zimbabwe for hosting the event and to Italy for financing the initiatives, which align with his country’s development goals.
“On behalf of the Government of Mozambique and on my own behalf, I say thank you. This initiative will contribute significantly towards our National Forestry Program 2037 and is perfectly aligned with Mozambique’s goals under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) free trade area,” he said.
Dgedge underlined the transformative ecological implications of the forestry project, particularly for his country, which has seen a sharp rise in deforestation due to unsustainable timber harvesting.
“This will enable us to better monitor cross-border forest resource movements and enforce more robust surveillance systems. We are pleased to see our delegates working shoulder to shoulder to protect our shared environment,” he added.
Italian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Umberto Malnati, hailed the initiative as a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve.
“The success of these initiatives depends on the strength of the partnership between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Italy is proud to be supporting these visionary efforts. These two countries are strategic partners to us, and we appreciate the way this support has been received,” he said.
Malnati emphasized the inclusive nature of the projects, saying they will promote agro-processing and prioritize participation of women and youth in marginalized communities, especially in the rural areas, where the projects will be implemented.
The joint projects are being launched at a time when informal trade dominates economic exchanges between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, limiting opportunities for structured investment and trade development.
With operations planned across two key shared border areas, these initiatives signal a deepening commitment to regional integration, environmental sustainability, and socio economic transformation.
New Ziana
