Zimbabwe has taken a bold step toward building a more climate-resilient future with the launch of the US$14.5 million “Mitigating Fragility through the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi)” project. Backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and a group of international donors, the initiative signals a critical shift in how the country prepares for and responds to natural disasters, moving away from reactive relief efforts and toward a more proactive, well-planned approach.
The timing of this launch could not be more urgent. Zimbabwe, like much of southern Africa, is still grappling with the devastating impact of the 2023/24 El Niño induced drought, the worst in recent memory. For a country where the majority of people rely on rain-fed agriculture, back-to-back climate shocks like droughts, cyclones, and floods have made it increasingly difficult for vulnerable communities to recover. Instead, many are caught in a cycle of recurring crisis and recovery.
Speaking at the launch in Harare, both the AfDB and Zimbabwean officials agreed that the new ADRiFi project is not just another development programme, it’s part of a bigger strategy to rethink how Zimbabwe manages disaster risk. The project focuses on three key areas: improving government capacity to prepare for climate risks, expanding access to pre-arranged disaster funding (known as ex-ante financing), and increasing access to agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers.
The practical benefits of this approach are already visible. In the face of the current drought, Zimbabwe received a payout of US$16.8 million through its climate risk insurance—funds that helped the government deliver fast support to affected farmers. This kind of timely intervention not only prevents hunger but also avoids long-term economic setbacks, especially in rural communities.
Honourable Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, noted that Zimbabwe is building on lessons from past success. In 2019, following the devastation of Cyclone Idai, AfDB provided US$24.7 million for recovery efforts in Chipinge and Chimanimani. That funding helped restore critical infrastructure and improved the government’s ability to respond to future climate events. With the new ADRiFi phase, Zimbabwe is now better positioned to move from recovery to readiness.
Importantly, the programme doesn’t stop at national-level support. One of its major goals is to extend protection to farmers at the grassroots, those most at risk when disaster strikes. By scaling up access to index-based crop insurance, the project empowers farmers with a safety net that helps them bounce back faster and avoid falling deeper into poverty after a bad season.
The ADRiFi project is co-financed through AfDB’s Transition Support Facility and the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Multi-Donor Trust Fund, supported by partners including the UK, US, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. This broad base of support reflects growing recognition that disaster risk financing is not just a financial tool, it’s a key part of sustainable development.
With technical workshops now underway and the recruitment of the project’s implementation team near completion, stakeholders are focused on turning strategy into action. As climate change continues to threaten development gains across the region, Zimbabwe’s new direction, grounded in data, planning, and partnership, could set a valuable example for other countries looking to break the cycle of disaster and recovery.
