derick.khumalo
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE inaugural Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment and Business Opportunities Forum, held in Melbourne, Australia is set to unlock fresh diaspora investment opportunities into Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, as Government intensifies efforts to harness the financial and entrepreneurial potential of Zimbabweans living abroad to drive destination development and sustainable economic growth.
The investment-focused forum brought together Zimbabwean professionals and entrepreneurs in Australia with Government agencies under the Whole-of-Government Approach.
Led by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, the Zimbabwean delegation included Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Australia, Joe Tapera Mhishi, officials from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company (MOTDC), the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
In an update, Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry said the delegation showcased Zimbabwe’s vast tourism investment opportunities, positioning the country as a premier heritage-based destination for sustainable tourism investment while encouraging the diaspora to take a leading role in developing the sector.
The forum comes as Government continues to leverage tourism as one of the country’s key economic growth sectors.
Tourism contributes significantly to foreign currency generation, employment creation, infrastructure development and the growth of value chains spanning transport, agriculture, arts and culture, hospitality and retail.
Addressing the Zimbabwean diaspora, Minister Rwodzi conveyed President Mnangagwa’s appreciation for their continued contribution to national development and urged them to invest in Zimbabwe’s rapidly expanding tourism industry.
“Addressing the Zimbabwean Diaspora Hon Rwodzi conveyed His Excellency The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s appreciation for their contribution to National Development and called on them to invest in Zimbabwe’s rapidly growing Tourism sector.
“She highlighted Tourism’s direct contribution of 10 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2026 and encouraged investment across the country’s diverse Tourism Clusters, including Gastronomy Tourism championed by the Tourism Patron, The First Lady Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa,” the Ministry said.
The industry has become a strategic pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation through investment attraction, job creation, export earnings and community development.
Government is promoting investment across various tourism clusters, including accommodation facilities, leisure and recreation, cultural and heritage tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), eco-tourism and gastronomy tourism, which celebrates Zimbabwe’s rich culinary traditions.
The Ministry said the forum concluded with a Gastronomy Dinner featuring traditional Zimbabwean dishes, showcasing the country’s culinary heritage while providing an ideal platform for networking, strengthening business linkages, forging strategic partnerships and advancing tourism investment opportunities.
The Melbourne engagement is expected to deepen diaspora participation in national development and reinforce Zimbabwe’s drive to position tourism as a major contributor to economic growth under Vision 2030.
Online Reporter