Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Online Correspondent
ZIMBABWEANS in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO) has launched the Zimbabwe UK Business Expo 2025, an international trade and investment platform scheduled to take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom, from October 2 to 4, 2025.
The expo seeks to boost bilateral trade, attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening economic ties between Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and the wider diaspora community.
Speaking on behalf of ZIDO chairperson Mr Blessed Kapesa, the organisation’s office administrator, Ms Cynthia Madziyire, said the event was a significant milestone for diaspora engagement in Zimbabwe’s development.
“We are excited to share the news about the UK’s Zimbabwe Business Expo. We appreciate your presence and look forward to working with you to spread the word about this fantastic opportunity — both in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora — to connect, collaborate and drive economic growth in our beloved country,” she said.
Chief host of the expo, Mr Hugo Ribatika, said the 2025 edition was expected to be ZIDO’s biggest Diaspora economic event to date.
“The Zimbabwe UK Business Expo 2025 is a premier international trade and investment platform designed to foster strategic partnerships and unlock economic opportunities between Zimbabwe, the UK and beyond,” he said.
Mr Ribatika said the expo would include exhibitions, high-level plenary sessions, expert-led seminars and pre-arranged business-to-business (B2B) meetings targeting sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, tourism, ICT and the digital economy.
“The aim is to present viable investment opportunities and enable direct engagement between investors, policymakers, and business leaders,” he said.
“We want people to come prepared to sign investment pledges and memorandums of understanding.”
Mr Ribatika said the Government had been invited to participate, with expectations that ministers and senior policymakers would attend to provide direct responses to investors’ concerns.
“This is not theory. In May, we hosted the South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Expo in Johannesburg, where five ministers attended. The model works; investors need to speak to the people who make the policy,” he said.
According to the organisers, over 5 000 participants are expected to attend including Zimbabwean entrepreneurs in the diaspora, UK-based investors and representatives from Zimbabwean provincial development agencies.
“Many people in the diaspora have good ideas but lack access to capital and partners. This platform brings them face-to-face with potential funders, franchise holders and mentors,” said Mr Ribatika.
He warned against unverified investment intermediaries and said part of the Expo’s value was the screening and due diligence conducted on participating projects and investors.
“We are creating a credible environment where projects are vetted and participants are legitimate. This builds trust and protects investments,” Mr Ribatika said.
The expo will also promote diaspora-focused investment schemes and encourage youth participation, with sessions dedicated to small and medium enterprises, franchising opportunities and media engagement.
“Zimbabwe is open for business, and that includes Zimbabweans abroad,” said Mr Ribatika.
“We are calling on the diaspora to return not just with remittances, but with ideas, capital, and partnerships that can drive national development.”
Online Reporter