The Zimbabwean Diaspora
The Government of Zimbabwe values the vital role that the Zimbabwean Diaspora plays in terms of the economic development of the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is mandated to formally mainstream Zimbabwe’s Diaspora into the national development agenda by creating an enabling environment for effective diaspora integration. A Diaspora Unit was created within the Ministry and is tasked to enhance the capacity of the Government of Zimbabwe to coordinate diaspora affairs and mobilize the Zimbabwean diaspora.
Various Diaspora Engagement activities are envisaged in targeted destination countries, such as the USA.
These engagement activities are expected to:
- Build trust and confidence between the Government and the Zimbabwean Diaspora Communities with a view to developing a mutually beneficial relationship;
- Acknowledge the Diaspora’s contribution to the Zimbabwe economy through investments in the national economy, remittances, philanthropy and social support;
- Assure the Diaspora of the Government’s commitment to enhance the protection of their interests;
- Facilitate dialogue and information exchange between the Government and the Diaspora;
- Identify ways of incorporating Diaspora participation in Zimbabwe’s economic and social development;
- Mobilise members of the Diaspora to complement the Government efforts in provision of community development projects;
- Tap into the Diaspora resources and encouraging the use of formal channels for remittances, as well as encouraging them to undertake investment, trade and tourism projects in Zimbabwe;
- Facilitate exports of value-added products using Diaspora communities as a conduit to foreign markets;
- Create a platform for skills and knowledge transfer, leveraging on the presence of diaspora communities in key markets;
It is envisaged that through engagement, these initiatives will catalyse enhanced and effective Diaspora participation in the Nation’s cross-sectoral growth and development.
The Embassy has therefore embarked on an initiative of engaging the Zimbabwean community in the US with a view to sharing information and ideas as well as discussing investment opportunities in the country.
To achieve this engagement, the Embassy would welcome all Zimbabweans in the countries of accreditation to contact us on any issue of interest to our country. Fellow citizens are encouraged to register their contact details on the registration form to assist the Embassy in creating a database through which you can be contacted on any issues of interest and be able to invite you to any functions that the Embassy might organise. Please click on the registration form link and fill in your details.
Registration FormDiaspora Remittances
Remittances by Zimbabweans in the diaspora have become an important contributor to national development. In 2022 total diaspora remittances through the official channels amounted to US$1.6 billion. This accounted for 14% of the total foreign currency earnings for the country of US$11. 5 billion. The US Zimbabwean diaspora contributed a total US$158.6 million.
| Year 2021 | Year 2022 | ||||
| Type of Receipt | Amount (US$ millions) | % Contribution | Amount (US$ millions) | % Contribution | |
| Export Earnings | $ 6,371.30 | 65% | $ 7,419.50 | 64% | |
| International Remittances | Diaspora | $ 1,430.14 | 15% | $ 1,658.36 | 14% |
| NGOs | $ 975.16 | 10% | $ 1,136.80 | 10% | |
| Loan Proceeds (Pvt) | $ 876.06 | 9% | $ 1,020.75 | 9% | |
| Income Receipts | $ 118.93 | 1% | $ 145.45 | 1% | |
| Foreign Investments | $ 91.14 | 1% | $ 184.86 | 2% | |
| Total | $ 9,862.73 | 101% | $ 11,565.72 | 100% |
Zimbabwean diaspora remittances by country of current residency.
| COUNTRY OF RESIDENCY | YEAR 2019 | YEAR 2020 | YEAR 2021 | YEAR 2022 |
| SOUTH AFRICA | $ 202.22 | $336,97 | $ 546.18 | $ 583.38 |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $ 123.58 | $ 234.44 | $ 346.65 | $ 361.68 |
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | $ 84.26 | $ 101.99 | $ 137.61 | $ 158.92 |
| AUSTRALIA | $ 28.09 | $ 72.28 | $ 74.75 | $ 89.87 |
| BOTSWANA | $ 16.85 | $ 38.48 | $ 51.74 | $ 39.56 |
| CANADA | $ 15.87 | $ 25.27 | $ 35.78 | $ 41.34 |
| IRELAND | $ 6.59 | $ 10.49 | $ 14.85 | $ 17.16 |
| MALAWI | $ 3.39 | $ 5.40 | $ 7.65 | $ 8.84 |
| GERMANY | $ 4.44 | $ 7.06 | $ 10.00 | $ 11.56 |
| NEW ZEALAND | $ 3.63 | $ 5.78 | $ 8.19 | $ 9.46 |
| OTHER COUNTRIES | $ 146.73 | $ 163.94 | $ 197.09 | $ 336.59 |
| TOTAL | $ 635.65 | $ 665.13 | $ 1,430.49 | $ 1,658.36 |