Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, will be the Guest of Honour at the 2026 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards to be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom on 16 May, organisers have said.
Minister Machakaire will also grace the ZAA Diaspora Investment and Skills Forum, which will precede the awards ceremony, on Friday next week.
Both events will be hosted at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.
In a statement, ZAA said Minister Machakaire’s participation at ZAA UK 2026 reflects the growing importance of diaspora engagement in advancing investment, skills transfer, youth empowerment, and sustainable national growth in Zimbabwe.
The statement said as one of Zimbabwe’s dynamic young political leaders, Minister Machakaire has built a strong reputation for transformative leadership centred on youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and community development.
“A strong advocate for sustainable empowerment over dependency, Hon Machakaire has consistently championed job creation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and skills development within the youth constituency, encouraging young people to become productive contributors to the economy rather than relying on handouts,” ZAA said.
“Beyond public service, he is also a self-made entrepreneur who successfully built and managed businesses long before his appointment as Minister — a journey that continues to inspire many young Zimbabweans to pursue enterprise, innovation, and self-reliance”.
According to ZAA, Minister Machakaire continues to drive policies and strategic partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for young people through education, enterprise development, innovation, vocational training, and digital inclusion.
“Under his leadership, the Ministry has intensified efforts to equip young people with practical skills, strengthen youth participation in national development, and combat the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse”, the statement said.
Turning to the Diaspora Investment & Skills Forum, ZAA said the event will bring together diaspora professionals, business leaders and investors, policymakers, development partners and young entrepreneurs and innovators.
The Forum will focus on diaspora investment opportunities, skills transfer and mobility, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence and global skills and creative industries and innovation.
“Hon Machakaire is expected to deliver a keynote address focused on youth empowerment, skills development, entrepreneurship, and the role of the diaspora in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation,” said ZAA.
On Saturday next week, Minister Machakaire will serve as Guest of Honour at the prestigious ZAA Gala Dinner & Awards, which celebrates outstanding Zimbabweans and diaspora achievers across multiple sectors including business, community leadership, Arts and culture, Media, Innovation, Academia and Entrepreneurship.
“The Gala Dinner will bring together leaders, professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs, and members of the Zimbabwean diaspora for an evening celebrating achievement, leadership, and global Zimbabwean impact,” said ZAA.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Conrad Mwanza, Founder and president of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, welcomed the Minister’s participation:
“We are honoured to welcome Hon. Tinoda Machakaire to ZAA UK 2026. His participation reflects the growing importance of youth empowerment, diaspora engagement, and skills development in shaping Zimbabwe’s future. The Forum and Awards provide an important platform for dialogue, collaboration, and celebrating Zimbabwean excellence globally.”
ZAA continues to expand its global development and diaspora engagement efforts through strategic collaborations, including a recent Memorandum of Understanding with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), focusing on:
- Diaspora engagement
- Skills exchange
- Youth development initiatives
It is an international platform with over 15 years of impact, dedicated to celebrating Zimbabwean excellence while promoting diaspora engagement, investment, and development.
