Zimbabwe Says 93 Expropriated White-owned Farms Have Been Compensated

The Government of Zimbabwe says 93 farms protected under Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (BIPPAs) have now received compensation, with 16 fully paid and 77 receiving partial payments, under a US$130.5 million programme covering claimants from five countries.

The latest report on the Structured Dialogue Platform’s Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process shows the Netherlands as the largest beneficiary, with 44 farms – six fully compensated and 38 partially paid – receiving US$20.1 million.

Switzerland is second with 27 farms, comprising four fully paid and 23 partially compensated, worth US$11.9 million. Germany follows with 14 farms valued at US$4.8 million, while Denmark has seven farms, all partially paid, accounting for US$2.8 million. A single farm linked to the former Yugoslavia has received US$400,000.

The payments relate to farmers from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the former Yugoslavia whose properties were affected during the 2000 Fast-Track Land Reform Programme.

The process began in May 2024 when the Government invited applications from BIPPA-protected farmers affected by the land reform. The Land Compensation Committee then verified and approved the claims. Initially, 97 farms were deemed eligible, but four that had not been occupied were later withdrawn after their owners opted for restoration of title. In total, the 93 farms lodged a combined claim of US$130.5 million.

According to the report, ten farms worth US$1.9 million were fully compensated in the 2024 cycle. Last year, a further six farms valued at US$2.3 million were paid in full, bringing the number of fully compensated farms to 16.

Government has structured the arrangement so that the annual Treasury allocation for BIPPA compensation is shared equally among qualifying claimants. The formula was agreed through the Land Tenure Reforms, the Compensation of Former Farm Owners process and the Resolution of the BIPPAs Sector Working Group.

To date, US$40 million has been paid out, with a further US$20 million allocated in the 2026 National Budget for the programme. Government has committed to clearing the outstanding US$70.5 million owed to BIPPA-protected investors through annual allocations in the 2027 and 2028 budgets.

More: The Sunday Mail

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