Zimbabwe is a country that has lots of valuable natural resources and culture. However, the country has faced several challenges for a long time. These challenges make it difficult for the country’s development, including economic instability, political struggles, and infrastructural loss. Despite these, Zimbabwe has the opportunity to become better, mainly through the active work of Zimbabwe’s diaspora. Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and South Africa have lots of influential diasporas. Due to economic and political challenges, Zimbabwe has led to significant migration throughout these years, which has allowed Zimbabwe to create a network of Zimbabweans with a variety of skills, resources, and global awareness. 

Zimbabwe’s diaspora holds a lot of potential opportunities, such as investment, skill transfer, philanthropy, and advocacy, to contribute to developing Zimbabwe. To use the diaspora to its full potential, the government and private sectors need to work side by side and present a logical, structural approach. This article mainly discusses how the diaspora can play a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s development, marking key areas where they can work and bring positive long-term growth and a good impact for the country.

1. How can the Diaspora contribute to the Development of Zimbabwe?

• Financial Investments and Remittances
• Skills and Knowledge Transfer
• Entrepreneurship and Business Development
• Philanthropy and Social Development
• Tourism and Cultural Promotion
• Advocacy and International Relations
• Technology and Innovation
• Real Estate and Infrastructure Development

2.Challenges and Solutions

How can the Diaspora contribute to the Development of Zimbabwe?

• Financial Investments and Remittances:
• The Zimbabwean diaspora sends billions of dollars annually in remittances, which support families and contribute to economic stability. In 2022, remittances from Zimbabweans abroad amounted to US$1.6 billion, adding up to 14% of the country’s total foreign currency earnings of US$11.5 billion. Between January and September 2024, diaspora remittances had reached up to $1.9 billion. This was a 16.5% increase over the same period, but in 2023.
• Structural and Sectoral investments in real estate, business startups, agriculture, etc., can be more valuable and can increase the economic development and growth of Zimbabwe.
• The government of Zimbabwe can introduce diaspora bonds and incentives to get Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Zimbabweans abroad. Moreover, a Diaspora Desk has been provided by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to give important investment information and facilitate diaspora work and results to national development

3.Skills and Knowledge Transfer

• Programs like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals are facilitated for short-term assignments for diaspora experts in Zimbabwe. These programs allow experts to share and give knowledge for critical sectors such as healthcare and education.
• Diaspora has been profiting well through mapping and surveys because of the Zimbabwean Government and organizations like OM. These surveys that the diaspora is providing identify one’s skills, location, and investment materials of Zimbabweans abroad.
• Diaspora communities can organize in lots of ways to address specific and sectoral needs. This is represented by the Zimbabwean Diaspora Health Alliance (ZDHA). ZDHA focuses on securing Zimbabwe’s health system by giving training and employing health experts.
• Important diaspora people like Danai Gurira, a famous actress, have started workshops and conferences in Zimbabwe to teach young talents in the arts. These foundations and platforms give teaching and skill development opportunities to the country, making its cultural landscape even wider.
• The government has created active diaspora communities in policy formations, creating a variety of platforms for skills and knowledge transfer. The partnership makes sure that diaspora experts contribute well to the national development strategies. 

4.Entrepreneurship and Business Development

• Members of Diaspora usually invest in Zimbabwean business start-ups and developing businesses by giving them capital and funding. The Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment Council facilitates such investments, allowing global capital to local opportunities.
• Diaspora business owners have made businesses in a variety of sectors, like Karen Mutasa, a Zimbabwean businesswoman. She has launched multiple businesses like The Skin Spa Group and Organikks Restaurant, helping the local economy a lot.
• Many organizations encourage diaspora involvement in nation-building through businesses. Such an organization is the Zimbabwe Diaspora Nation Building Initiative (ZDNBI). Their goal is to develop economic transformation and reduce poverty.
• The diaspora helps in allowing more exploration of the market for Zimbabwean products by influencing their international networks, alas boosting national exports.
• Partnerships between the government and diaspora communities have led to the formation of policies whose goals are to harness the diaspora’s potential for the development of the nation. Like the National Diaspora Policy supported by the International Organization for Migration.

5.Philanthropy and Social Development

• Founded by Strive and Tsiti Masiyiwa, this organization gives scholarships to orphans and disabled children, focusing on the education and health of locals and children.

• Established by Karen Mutasa and other investors, SOTZIM raised in total $1.5 million to rebuild St. Anne’s Hospital better, introducing great healthcare infrastructure.

• This organization mobilizes the global Zimbabwean diaspora to help nation-building efforts, taking care of community development and social support.
• This diaspora has played a key role in rebuilding national policies, partnering with organizations like the IOM to finalize Zimbabwe’s National Diaspora Policy, promoting social and economic development in the country.

6.Tourism and Cultural Promotion

• Zimbabweans living overseas usually start cultural fests, art exhibitions, and music events that show the nation’s valuable heritage, attracting interest and tourism
• Multiple initiatives have been done to encourage tourism. The “Travel and Experience Zimbabwe” campaign is a prime example of this. This campaign encourages the members of the diaspora to visit and explore Zimbabwe, boosting tourism, investment, and excitement.
• Creative and smart partnerships between the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority have led to formulations aimed at celebrating Zimbabwe’s growth in its tourism sector and investment opportunities.
• Research marks the importance and potential of using the diaspora to its full potential to improve tourism growth in Zimbabwe, saying that structured and logical marketing efforts can really impact tourism development in Zimbabwe
• Important people like Danai Gurira have organized multiple workshops and conferences in Zimbabwe to teach and care for the local talent there and improve the country’s cultural profile to the entire globe.

7.Advocacy and International Relations

• Partnering with the Zimbabwean government to create foundations and platforms that facilitate diaspora activity in national development
• Responding to government appeals for investments, hence boosting Zimbabwe’s economic growth and improvement
• Establishing organizations to make sure the global diaspora voice is heard and to coordinate development efforts. A main example of these kinds of organizations can be the Zimbabwe Diaspora Nation Building Initiative (ZDNBI) 
• Working with international advocacy to mark Zimbabwe’s social, economic, and political problems on global platforms both online and offline, influencing different international policies and insights.
• Using their presence in host countries to promote Zimbabwe’s culture results in fostering one another, mutual understanding, and strengthening two-sided relations.

8.Technology and Innovation

• In February 2011, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe partnered with ForgetMeNot Africa. The partnership resulted in the launch of the eTXT service. This initiative upgraded basic mobile phones into virtual smartphones. This allowed mobile users to send and receive emails and chat with online messages without needing the internet.
• Business Owner Rob Burell is the founder of an important business named Mukur Money Transfer. This business gives chances for international remittances to be transferred to Zimbabwe and other African countries. This platform has made financial inclusion bigger and given means for the diaspora to support families back home. 
• UK-based Zimbabwean businesswoman Fungai Ndemera created CheckUp Health. This was an NHS-approved main healthcare platform. This AI-driven solution allows experts to check up on patients remotely. This enhanced the healthcare system and technology of Zimbabwe.
• The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) Diaspora Zimbabwe Project focuses on science, technology, and engineering community innovation. It gives sustainable planning skills, skills for working, training, and much more. They hope to empower lots of communities in Zimbabwe.
• President Mnangagwa has called upon the diaspora community to bring creative-smart ideas and new, fresh perspectives to help the nation’s development. This initiative aims to use the full potential of the expertise and creativity of all Zimbabweans abroad to drive technological advancement and economic growth.

9.Real Estate and Infrastructure Development

• The members of the diaspora are investing more in Zimbabwe’s property market. They are buying homes, commercial spaces to help increase economic growth and more. Initiatives like the Zim Diaspora Property Showcase facilitate these investments by connecting them with investors and reputable real estate dealers.
• Partnerships between the diaspora and local real estate businesses have led to huge infrastructure projects, such as the National Railways of Zimbabwe’s $400 million recapitalization proposal. This is supported by the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG)
• Diaspora philanthropy has played a key role in funding rural infrastructure projects. This includes the construction of schools, clinics, and community centers, enhancing the quality of life in the underserved and unwell areas.
• To protect investments, the members of the diaspora are encouraged to use formal channels when any property transaction is ongoing. This reduces the risk of fraud and ensures compliance with local rules. Companies like Seeff Zimbabwe make sure this approach is good to protect investors’ interests.
• Platforms like Prop263 give the investors of diaspora with big databases of available properties, offering detailed information and an investment process on real estate across the entire country of Zimbabwe.

• The political and economic instability in Zimbabwe has resulted in a lack of trust among the diaspora regarding the effective use of their work. Many are hesitant to invest or remit funds due to concerns of corruption and mismanagement.
• There is a huge gap in structured platforms for the diaspora to work with the government and local communities. This lack of formal channels causes problems for the diaspora, making their ability to contribute meaningfully to development initiatives hard.
• Hard and usual restricted policies, like high tax rates and political hurdles, discourage the diaspora from investing in Zimbabwe. These challenges make it tough to establish good businesses or developmental projects.
• The emigration of experts has resulted in a shortage of expertise within the country. This limits the capacity to perform development projects nicely and gets rid of the potential for knowledge transfers from the diaspora.
• Fluctuations in currency value and the lack of a good financial system make it tough for the process of sending remittances. This instability affects the importance and impact of financial contributions from the diaspora.

• Developing a good, detailed national diaspora policy can give a structured foundation for engagement, ensuring that the contributions are used effectively and nicely. This policy would facilitate better work unification between the diaspora and the government.
• Implementing tax incentives and making business registration processes easier can encourage the diaspora to invest in Zimbabwe. Such initiatives would reduce the obstacles and make investment more popular.
• Improving financial systems to help secure good remittance channels is important. Establishing reliable banking services and exchange rate stability would enhance the effectiveness of financial conditions for the diaspora.
• Building platforms for the diaspora to share their expertise through teaching, workshops, and partnership projects can help solve the skill shortage. These initiatives would enable locals to also learn a variety of skills, creating a skilled workforce.
• Encouraging the formation of diaspora networks can provide a good system for people and facilitate collective action. These networks can be used as a resource for information, funding, and advocacy, making an impact on economic growth, and are great for individual contributions.

Zimbabwe’s diaspora community has lots of potential to help national development through investments, skill transfers, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. But, using the mac potential of this requires lots of efforts from the government, the private sector, and diaspora organizations. Policies that promote engagement reduce challenges and build trust. This can increase diaspora’s participation in Zimbabwe’s socio-economic growth. By supporting the resources and expertise of Zimbabweans abroad, the nation can improve the overall development and increase the growth for prosperity.

To explore the key investment opportunities in Zimbabwe, you can read, Investment Opportunities in Zimbabwe: An Overview of How to Invest

FAQs

1. What policies can the government implement to encourage diaspora investments? 

Ans: The government can introduce different types of solutions. These can be diaspora bonds, tax incentives, easier business registration processes, etc. Strengthening property rights and financial rules can also increase investor confidence

 2.How can Zimbabweans in the diaspora engage in skills transfer?

Ans: They can participate in different types of programs, virtual classes for mentorship, gaming, partnering with universities and experts, and contribute to industry-based training initiatives. Establishing diaspora-led knowledge exchange platforms can also facilitate good and well-built structural skill transfer.