Linda Nielsen 2025 Speaker

“Linda Nielsen is the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Horticultural Development Council (HDC). After establishing the organisation, she swiftly built a strong, committed membership by uniting diverse horticulture exporters of all scales to create an influential apex body representing the industry.

Under her leadership, HDC is driving the transformation of Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector into a US$1 billion industry by 2030. Her strategic vision focuses on forging impactful partnerships that catalyse industry growth and sustainability.
A strong advocate for inclusive development, Linda has championed the HDC’s Hub and Spoke Model, fostering value chain linkages between large-scale producers and smallholder farmers. This approach enhances access to skills, extension support, and markets, ensuring broader participation in the sector.

She has been a vocal proponent of policy reforms that create an enabling environment for investment, advocating for the removal of restrictive regulations and the introduction of incentive-driven alternatives to secure the industry’s future.

Linda’s ability to cultivate high-impact partnerships has attracted targeted funding and support from global financial institutions, including the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and other development partners. Her leadership is also evident in the success of the annual HDC Investment Forum, which brings together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to unlock new opportunities and drive economic growth.”