By A Correspondent
HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Amid mounting economic turmoil, widespread unemployment, and the government’s desperate need for external support, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is ramping up efforts to entice Zimbabweans in the diaspora to return home.
However, given the country’s current economic struggles, it remains uncertain whether the diaspora community will respond positively to these overtures.
The government is preparing for the 3rd Zimbabwe Annual Diaspora Conference (ZADC), scheduled for April 10-12, 2025, in the scenic Manicaland Province.
The event is billed as a major platform for Zimbabweans abroad to reconnect with their homeland, explore investment opportunities, and contribute to national development.
The ZADC will also serve as a space for Zimbabweans to evaluate how they might help alleviate the country’s economic woes by supporting key sectors such as trade, agriculture, and infrastructure.
However, the question remains: Will the diaspora, many of whom fled the country due to economic instability, political repression, and a lack of opportunities, be willing to return under the current conditions?
According to numerous sources, many Zimbabweans in the diaspora are skeptical of the government’s ability to deliver lasting change.
“While the government keeps pushing these initiatives, there are still deep-rooted issues like inflation, a struggling healthcare system, and a lack of jobs,” said a Zimbabwean entrepreneur based in the UK.
“Many of us left because of these problems. I want to invest in Zimbabwe, but I need to see real change first.”
The government, however, seems intent on proving that it can turn things around. President Mnangagwa’s administration has emphasized the crucial role the diaspora could play in driving Zimbabwe’s economic revival, particularly through investment and remittances.
“The diaspora is a key pillar in achieving our Vision 2030 goals,” said a government spokesperson. “Their expertise, investments, and remittances are essential to stimulating growth and rebuilding our country.”
To facilitate this, the government has launched several initiatives, including the “Know Your Diaspora” program, aimed at fostering stronger ties between Zimbabweans abroad and their home country.
Previous diaspora-focused conferences in provinces such as Matabeleland North and South, as well as national events in Bulawayo and Masvingo, have seen mixed results. While some diaspora members have shown interest in contributing to national development, many remain disillusioned by ongoing political and economic instability.
The 3rd ZADC will focus on themes such as “Engaging, Enabling, and Empowering the Diaspora: Catalyzing Investment, Trade, and Philanthropy for National Development,” but many within the diaspora remain wary of the government’s long-term commitment to reform. “We hear these promises, but until we see real, tangible changes in the economy and governance, it’s hard to justify coming back,” said another Zimbabwean professional living in South Africa.
With unemployment at record highs and inflation eroding the value of local currency, the diaspora community is not convinced that simply offering investment opportunities will be enough to lure them back.
However, the government is determined to demonstrate that it can offer more than just promises.
In the coming months, it will be crucial to see if the 3rd ZADC and other government efforts can address the genuine concerns of Zimbabweans abroad or whether they will remain unconvinced, staying in their adopted countries where opportunities seem more promising.