Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Zimbabwean community in the United States has expressed strong interest in investing in the country’s tourism sector, with participants at the Zimbabwe Diaspora Tourism Investment Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, exploring opportunities across the tourism value chain.
The forum, officiated by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, forms part of the Government’s strategy to strengthen engagement with Zimbabweans living abroad and harness diaspora capital to drive tourism-led economic transformation under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (2026-2030).
The United States-based Zimbabwean diaspora accounts for approximately 12 percent of Zimbabwe’s remittance inflows, making it a key source of potential investment.
Participants sought clarity on tourism investment opportunities, reflecting growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s investment climate under the Second Republic.
Zimbabwe’s envoy to the United States, Ambassador David Hamadziripi, commended Minister Rwodzi for raising Destination Zimbabwe’s international profile through aggressive tourism marketing initiatives that continue to attract global recognition.
In her address, Minister Rwodzi reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to sustained engagement with Zimbabweans in the diaspora through President Mnangagwa’s Engagement and Re-engagement Policy, anchored on the principle that Zimbabwe is “a friend to all and an enemy to none”.
She said the Second Republic was implementing inclusive economic reforms guided by Vision 2030, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, with devolution, rural industrialisation and the philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind at the centre of national development.
“The diaspora remains a strategic partner in national development and plays a critical role in helping Zimbabwe attain upper-middle-income economy status by 2030,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Minister Rwodzi, who acknowledged the US-based diasporans’ remittances, urged Zimbabweans abroad to move beyond sending money home and instead invest in productive sectors, particularly tourism.
She described tourism as a “low-hanging fruit” with immense potential to generate employment, stimulate rural development and attract foreign currency under the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra.
The minister highlighted investment opportunities in accommodation facilities, conference infrastructure, rural tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, gastronomy tourism, renewable energy, waste management and community-based tourism, supported by improved air connectivity and the Ministry’s tourism cluster strategy.
The forum also saw representatives from the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority make presentations outlining incentives and opportunities available to prospective investors.
