WORKING WITH ZIMBABWE WOMEN'S MICROFINANCE BANK

Presently we are assisting the Zimbabwe Women's Microfinance Bank with their project to financially empower up to 200,000 women smallholders to grow castor and guar beans.  Many are currently growing sorghum.

The average daily household income of rural women farmers is only $1 a day.  The aim of the project, which is led by the bank's CEO, Dr. Mandas Marikanda, is to raise daily incomes to $10 and also create value chains to boost Zimbabwe's exports.

Zimbabwe has been experiencing daily power outages of about 18 hours due to a chronic lack of foreign currency to buy more power from neighbouring countries. It has 90+% unemployment, hyperinflation and domestic currency issues.

Whilst there is considerable mineral wealth in the ground, the path to revitalization of the overall economy will be through agricultural development, hence the critical importance of helping women smallholders with microfinance. 

Of major importance too, is the slowly emerging  resurgence of large scale commercial farmers.  Some two-thirds have returned to their farms and the government is showing support for this trend to continue. 

Zimbabwe was once known as 'the bread basket of Africa'.  Whilst the climate has been erratic in recent times, and the Fall Armyworm has caused a lot of damage to maize, there is growing optimism overall in agriculture.

AFRAGI is helping act as a catalyst for 'made-in-Africa' change by tapping not only into the abundance and limitless energy of its agricultural workers, but also the funding, training and technology resources available globally from far-sighted individuals who want to see a vigorous, healthy and sustainable future for all Zimbabweans.

Africa Agriculture Initiatives is headquartered in British Columbia, Canada.  It operates on a high level of discretion involving bankers, financiers, NGOs, charities, major corporations, and politicians, ensuring the best outcomes for client goals.

The overall mission is to create sustainable, burgeoning agriculture for the benefit of African rural populations with meaningful, safe jobs that help bring about overall lifestyle, health benefits and improved educational opportunities.