Official Press Release
Zimbabwe Deposits ARC Ratification Instrument
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – March 25, 2025
The Government of Zimbabwe deposited the Instrument of Ratification for the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Treaty at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 25 April 2025. This landmark step solidifies Zimbabwe’s commitment to enhancing disaster risk management and financing in response to extreme weather events such as droughts and floods.
The instruments of ratification were deposited at the African Union Commission (AUC) by H.E. Madam Sophia Nyamudeza, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU.
African Risk Capacity is a Specialized Agency of the AU with the mandate to help Member States improve their capacities to better plan, prepare, and respond to weather-induced events and disease outbreaks.
The ARC Treaty was adopted on 23 November 2012 and entered into force on 15 April 2020 following the deposit of the 10th instrument of ratification by the Republic of Niger.
The ARC mechanism provides African nations with an innovative financial safety net, ensuring that resources are readily available to respond effectively to natural disasters. Zimbabwe has already benefited from ARC’s initiatives, including capacity-building programs that have strengthened national preparedness and response frameworks. Furthermore, last year, Zimbabwe, along with ARC Replica partners, received a payout amounting to USD32 million from ARC’s drought insurance product, enabling swift intervention during El Niño-induced droughts.
By ratifying the ARC Treaty, Zimbabwe gains full membership benefits, including access to ARC’s sophisticated risk modelling software, Africa RiskView, which enhances the country’s ability to assess and respond to food security threats caused by climate variability.
The successful ratification process was made possible through the unwavering support of various stakeholders. The Government of Switzerland played a pivotal role by providing financial resources to support advocacy efforts, stakeholder engagements, and parliamentary briefings. These initiatives were crucial in ensuring widespread understanding and endorsement of the treaty among Zimbabwe’s policymakers.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe, particularly the relevant committees overseeing disaster risk management, finance, and climate affairs, played an instrumental role in driving the ratification process forward. Their thorough review, engagement with technical experts, and commitment to national resilience have been invaluable.
Zimbabwe’s ratification of the ARC Treaty is a testament to its commitment to sustainable disaster response mechanisms. By embracing a proactive, African-led approach, Zimbabwe is not only securing financial resilience against climate-induced disasters but also reinforcing continental solidarity in tackling extreme weather risks.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Media Contacts
For African Risk Capacity Group: Michele Karambiri, Head of Communication, ARC Group, Email: michele.karambiri@arc.int