Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
A powerful rallying cry echoed through the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently as the Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, called on Zimbabweans in the diaspora to become active players in rebuilding their homeland.
“Come build your country,” Eng Muguti declared emphatically to a packed auditorium of over 2 000 attendees.
“At some point, these opportunities will be gone and the truth is, people from other continents are already seeing greater opportunities here than our own sons and daughters of the soil.”
This impassioned appeal came during the South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Expo, a landmark event hosted by the Zimbabweans in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO) recently, that has now become a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s economic re-engagement strategy.
Eng Muguti’s address underscored the Zimbabwean Government’s renewed commitment to transforming the investment climate, particularly for diasporans. In what he described as “a new chapter”, he announced that the Government is actively removing bureaucratic red tape and simplifying the investment process for Zimbabweans living abroad.
Eng Muguti confirmed that an MoU between ZIDO and the Office of the President was underway to ensure that diaspora Zimbabweans receive direct support when initiating projects back home, regardless of where they are in the world.
“If they want the Office of the President to assist or facilitate, we are here for you,” Eng Muguti assured.
He highlighted Zimbabwe’s rapidly expanding economy, noting a GDP of US$43 billion, with informal activity contributing to an even broader economic base ripe for investment.
Eng Muguti was unflinching about the country’s challenges but reframed them as lucrative openings for entrepreneurial Zimbabweans abroad.
“When people say Zimbabwean roads are bad, that’s an opportunity for you to come and invest in roads. If electricity is unstable, don’t ridicule it, invest in renewable energy. If medication is lacking, that’s an opportunity to open clinics or partner with doctors willing to return home,” Eng Muguti said.
This pragmatic approach resonated with the audience, who had gathered not only to listen but to explore real, bankable investment opportunities aligned with Zimbabwe’s devolution agenda, which seeks to ensure equitable development across all provinces.
Hosted by ZIDO, a UK registered company with a Zimbabwean subsidiary, the expo was a first-of-its-kind platform focused on diaspora-led development, investment mobilisation and engagement with both the Zimbabwean Government and the private sector. Over 2 000 attendees marked it as one of the largest diaspora business events in Southern Africa’s history.
ZIDO chairperson Mr Blessed Kapesa captured the spirit of the event.
“Zimbabweans in the diaspora are not just interested, they are ready to engage, contribute and lead in rebuilding our economy. This expo is not a one-time event; it is the beginning of a movement,” Mr Kapesa said.
Financial and investment service providers also showed up in force, presenting tailored solutions designed to lower the barriers for diaspora investors, from remittance channels to business registration services.
Zimbabwe is not alone in turning to its diaspora for economic revitalisation. Countries like India, China, Ethiopia and Nigeria have successfully harnessed the potential of their nationals abroad to drive national growth.
India’s tech boom and start-up surge were powered significantly by returning entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley.
Ethiopia has mobilised its diaspora through infrastructure bonds that helped fund large-scale projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
In Nigeria, diaspora remittances have become the country’s largest source of foreign exchange, surpassing even oil revenue in certain years.
These examples show that diasporans are not merely senders of remittances, they are catalysts of industrialisation, technology transfer, innovation and institutional development.
For Zimbabwe, whose citizens abroad number in the millions and are often highly skilled, educated and financially stable, the potential is enormous. The Government’s current shift in tone and policy emphasised by Eng Muguti’s statements, may be the turning point needed to transform patriotic sentiment into sustainable investment.
Building on the momentum, ZIDO has announced the UK–Zimbabwe Business Expo 2025, to be held in Birmingham on October 4, 2025. The event aims to bring together British institutions, Zimbabwean professionals in the UK and Government officials for another powerful round of investment dialogue and deal making.
Diasporans are encouraged to register early, as the event is expected to be as impactful, if not more, as the South Africa edition.
Eng Muguti’s call is more than rhetoric. It is a declaration of openness, reform and partnership between Zimbabwe and its global citizens. The time for disengagement is over. In its place is a new narrative, one where Zimbabweans abroad are not just spectators but co-authors of the country’s transformation.
“Land is no longer being manufactured by the Lord Almighty,” Eng Muguti reminded the audience.
“This is your land, your moment, come and build your country.”
He emphasised that the time to invest home is now.
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