Government reviews National Diaspora Policy

THE Government has embarked on a comprehensive review of its National Diaspora Policy aimed at engaging stakeholders and ensuring inclusive participation in national initiatives.

The new policy will serve as an empowerment framework designed to engage the diaspora in socio-economic development.

The current policy was adopted in 2016, and this review is intended to align it with evolving global changes.

Officials believe that the diaspora community can become instrumental in boosting financial investment, increasing trade and technology and facilitating skills transfer.

The Government is keen to foster closer links to the diaspora community as part of its development agenda and last year, the diaspora contributed 17 percent of total foreign currency receipts, amounting to more than three million individuals.

Speaking during a National Diaspora Policy review workshop in Bulawayo, Deputy Chief Secretary for Policy Analysis, Co-ordination and Development Planning in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Willard Manungo, said review of the National Diaspora Policy is being carried out under a “Whole Government” approach, with inputs received from various parties, including the diaspora community, partners and stakeholders.

He said the Government is committed to unleashing the full potential of the diaspora in Zimbabwe’s economy.

“The review of Zimbabwe’s National Diaspora Policy also targets to empower the diaspora community to realise all business and investment opportunities arising in their motherland by being allowed space and scope to also contribute towards Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development while ensuring their rights and interests are safeguarded,” said Mr Manungo.

“The participation of the diaspora community in national development programmes and individual entrepreneurial initiatives fulfils the call by His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa that “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, brick upon brick and stone upon stone.

“Pursuant to this, Zimbabwe’s National Diaspora Policy will offer the empowerment framework for a comprehensive and structured approach to engaging the diaspora in national socio-economic development.”

Mr Manungo said that the policy review also allows clear articulation of the role of the diaspora community in national development. This, he said, should be outlined in the policy framework on diaspora participation.

“This entails formal acknowledgement and recognition through creating the pathway for more significant and sustainable contributions by the diaspora community to the country’s socio-economic growth through broader participation in investment beyond remittances tied to cultural ties and philanthropy.

“Already, the diaspora community has consistently demonstrated its readiness to partner with the resident citizenry in socio-economic development programmes back home,” he said.

Mr Manungo said strong engagement of the diaspora community towards greater participation in national development underscores the need for the development of a diaspora policy that provides a structured framework for the diaspora to actively participate in national development initiatives, supporting both their individual aspirations and the country’s Vision 2023 goals.

That entails the inclusion of the diaspora community in the country’s national planning initiatives, he said.

“The reflection in the National Diaspora Policy of greater diaspora participation in national development challenges us to improve engagement and interaction with the diaspora community alongside an interrogation of best practices towards the representation of this community in domestic opportunities, national initiatives and interventions.”

The Government has already undertaken major strides by having a Diaspora Desk in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The establishment of such a framework should aid in bridging communication gaps between the Government and the diaspora community, noted Mr Manungo. Stakeholders have proposed the inclusion of a Diaspora Advisory Council.

By including diaspora representatives and experts, such a body could provide valuable insights into the diaspora’s needs and aspirations ensuring that policies are more aligned with their interests.

Turning to investment opportunities, Mr Manungo said setting up tailored financial instruments such as diaspora bonds and investment funds allows the diaspora community to contribute to large-scale projects such as infrastructure development with better security for their investments.

He noted that the policy promises to create an enabling environment by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, simplifying processes and offering incentives for diaspora investments, which could attract more capital inflows.

“Government recognises that the success of our National Diaspora Policy is underpinned by President Mnangagwa who champions inculcation of inclusivity that leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.

“Hence, as the technocrats, you are being challenged to recognise the role of our diaspora in national development through the development of a robust National Diaspora Policy that will unleash the potential of this community’s participation in the economy,” said Mr Manungo.

A continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanism will ensure that the National Diaspora Policy remains responsive to changes and evolving needs of the diaspora community, allowing for timely interventions in the process, he said.