The Russian interest in partnering with Africa received much attention from news agencies in recent weeks. This comes after the Russian government invited African leaders to attend the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit.

The ties between Russia and Zimbabwe go back to the days of the liberation struggle. In 2003, Zimbabwe was seeking alternative partners after facing sanctions from the Western powers that used to be heavily invested in the country. China and Russia were able to fill the void that was left by the Western investors. In more recent years, President Vladimir Putin’s administration increasingly made headway into the African markets.

Zimbabwe is attempting to procure foreign investments to revive their struggling economy. President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed that the customs, tax and logistical conditions are being streamlined to grow international commercial ties with Russia.

President Mnangagwa committed himself to protect and support foreign interests promoting their goods and services in Zimbabwe. Two of the main economic activities that Russia is focussing on in Zimbabwe are agriculture and mining.

Dmitry Mazepin, Chairman of Uralchem Integrated Chemicals Company, met with members of the Zimbabwean delegation attending the Russia- Africa Summit held in Sochi, Russia, in October this year. The company is interested in providing fertilisers to the Zimbabwean agricultural sector. In the third quarter of 2019 the Russia- Zimbabwe annual trade increased by 9,5% to US$18,5 million, according to the Russian government. Russia’s economic involvement in Zimbabwe is clearly reaching new heights. In order for this to be maintained, Zimbabwe needs to create stability and guarantee the safety of their foreign investments.

Zimbabwe’s agriculture has the potential to improve the country’s economy. However, this can only happen if there is a political will to create a climate that is conducive to growth. Years of mismanagement of resources and corruption have crippled not only the farming sector, but the country as a whole.

According to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Agriculture, irrigation is the key to developing the agricultural sector. The country has lots of dams and two major rivers, the Zambezi and the Limpopo, that can be used for irrigation. The largely unresolved land issue is also a hurdle for agricultural development.

Earlier this year, it was reported that more than five million citizens suffered from food shortages. In the midst of the food crisis the government has, on many occasions, promised that land seizures will not take place any longer, and that it is not the government’s mandate to disrupt productive farming ventures. But there is evidence that the land issues are far from resolved. As recently as June 2019, a land dispute in the remote eastern region of Zimbabwe saw Richard Le Vieux in court due to the fact that he would not give up the land on which he is running an avocado farm. His products are exported to Europe and earn foreign currency for Zimbabwe.

Richard’s productive agricultural business was interrupted by Remembrance Gwaradzima, who is the son of a government official, claiming half of the land that Richard farms on. His land claim is based on an official government offer that he had obtained. Cases like Richard’s cause concern among foreign investors. If the country cannot protect the assets of the companies, they cannot afford to invest in Zimbabwe and the country will remain without the much needed economic growth.