Zimbabwe has intensified efforts to mobilise Diaspora investment into its tourism sector, urging citizens living abroad to complement remittances with direct investments that support national economic growth and the attainment of Vision 2030.
The call was made at the Zimbabwe Diaspora Engagement Forum and Dinner held at Zimbabwe House in London as the curtains came down on the World Travel Market (WTM) 2026, bringing together key government and tourism industry representatives to explore investment opportunities in the country.
The engagement was officiated by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, and attended by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Col. (Rtd) Christian Katsande, and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Chief Executive Dr George Manyaya.
Minister Rwodzi conveyed President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s appreciation for the continued financial contributions made by Zimbabweans living abroad, which have sustained the national economy over the years.
She, however, emphasised the need to broaden the Diaspora’s participation in national development through increased capital investment in productive sectors, particularly tourism.
“The President has a keen interest in seeing these contributions complemented by increased economic investment back home,” she said.
Rwodzi described tourism as a readily accessible sector offering significant opportunities for Zimbabweans abroad to participate in the country’s economic transformation, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the Diaspora remains an integral part of programmes and projects under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
She drew attention to the country’s 13 tourism clusters, which present diverse investment prospects across accommodation, hospitality, cultural tourism, heritage preservation and rural tourism.
Among the opportunities highlighted were accommodation and hospitality infrastructure developments in Victoria Falls, particularly around the Mosi-oa-Tunya development, as well as conference facilities in Harare ahead of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 2029-related engagements.
The Minister also encouraged investments in cultural, heritage and rural tourism, noting that the sector has considerable potential to generate employment, empower local communities, expand entrepreneurial opportunities and improve livelihoods.
She assured prospective investors that Government remained committed to facilitating investment and creating an enabling environment for business growth.
Ambassador Katsande applauded Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom and the wider Diaspora for their sustained contribution to national development, urging them to strengthen their engagement with Government and the private sector.
The London engagement formed part of Zimbabwe’s broader tourism investment promotion drive, which seeks to leverage international platforms such as WTM to attract investors, strengthen partnerships and position the country as a competitive tourism destination.
Through increased Diaspora participation, Zimbabwe seeks to unlock tourism infrastructure development, enhance destination competitiveness and ensure that the sector contributes meaningfully to sustainable economic growth.
