Diaspora community key in socio-economic development Zimbabwe National Diaspora Policy

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]

ZIMBABWE’S diaspora community is viewed as a critical pillar in driving the country’s quest for economic rejuvenation due to its tested financial mantle in remittances and critical skills set through global exposure, hence the need to harness its potential.

Remittances are one of the most visible and impactful ways Zimbabweans in the diaspora contribute to their country.

A significant number of Zimbabweans who reside abroad have acquired valuable skills and expertise in various sectors, such as finance, technology, healthcare, and engineering.

They often hold positions of influence and responsibility in their new countries, bringing their knowledge and experience back to Zimbabwe to help develop it.

In their respective fields, these individuals play a vital role in the transfer of technology, promotion of best practices, and fostering innovation.

The potential can be fully harnessed through measures such as crafting policies that encourage continuous strategic engagement and implementing targeted initiatives to embrace the community as Zimbabweans.

One such policy is the Zimbabwe National Diaspora Policy crafted in 2016.

Mr Willard Manungo

It is now under a review process to ensure it remains responsive to changes and evolving needs of the diaspora community, in the process allowing for timely interventions.

Recently, a wide spectrum of participants drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Office of the President and Cabinet, representatives from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and other representatives from development co-ordinating partners gathered in Bulawayo for a review workshop. Some diasporans followed proceedings virtually.

The Government in collaboration with various development cooperating partners is seized with reviewing the diaspora policy that was formulated in 2016.

There is a general consensus that the revised National Diaspora Policy should outline frameworks and instruments that provide competitive tax incentives for the global network of Zimbabweans to invest in key sectors of the economy back home without hindrances and in a manner that allows them to make a profit.

Speaking during the 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 it is critical for the review policy to spell out clear incentive structures for the diaspora.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)

“The review of the National Diaspora Policy should also help outline the incentive structure for diaspora investment. This should also embrace competitive tax incentives that encourage diaspora members to invest in key sectors like technology, real estate, and value-addition,” said Mr Manungo.

He noted that it is critical for the policy to also facilitate the formalisation of previous informal channels for remittances.

“This requires that we overcome high fees and restrictive regulations in Zimbabwe and diaspora host countries. Without significant reforms in these areas, informal channels may continue to dominate, limiting the potential impact of remittances.”

Remittances have been growing rapidly in the past years, and now represent the largest source of foreign direct investment for many developing economies.

An estimated three million Zimbabweans are believed to be in the diaspora and they regularly send money back home to sustain their families.

In his inaugural Monetary Policy Statement, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mashayavanhu said secondary income inflows increased by seven percent from US$3,080 billion in 2022 to US$3,297 billion in 2023.

The increase, he said, was due to higher inward remittances from the diaspora.
Personal transfers increased by 9,7 percent to US$2,162 billion in 2023, from US$1,971 billion in 2022.

Dr John Mashayavanhu

The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa acknowledges the importance of the diaspora’s contribution towards national development and is committed to ensuring that the diaspora community is not left behind as Zimbabwe embarks on an inexorable developmental trajectory.

Last year, 17 percent of total foreign currency receipts flowing into the country were accrued from the diaspora community.

Mr Manungo said the reviewed 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.

“The policy aligns with global objectives to lower remittance transfer fees (consistent with UN SDG 10c) potentially making it easier and more affordable for the diaspora to send money back home, encouraging the use of formal channels.”

Another critical aspect of the diaspora policy is the skills knowledge transfer and spirit of fostering and promoting cultural ties and national identity.

The policy is expected to facilitate the diaspora to share their expertise through skills transfer programmes, innovation hubs, and mentorships which could significantly improve local industries and foster innovation.

This could entail exchange programmes that will benefit from the knowledge and experiences gained by the country’s non-resident citizens across various sectors including education, healthcare, and technology.

During the policy review workshop, mapping and profiling the diaspora community as a pre-requisite for effectively integrating them into national development programmes was stressed.

This allows the Government to understand the demographics, locations, and concerns of Zimbabweans abroad, leading to improved services and support.

Three successful mapping and profiling surveys have already been conducted with the International Organisation for Migration support, focusing on Zimbabwean diaspora communities in the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Africa.

“We are trying to understand who is where and what their qualifications are. It’s very important, especially under the Second Republic. People have been appointed from civil society and some from the diaspora to lead Government departments in recognition of the skills that they would have acquired in the diaspora,” Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi said.

“You can only know who is where through the diaspora mapping and profiling exercise,” he added.

The policy review is also expected to facilitate the promotion of diaspora tourism campaigns and heritage initiatives by encouraging Zimbabweans abroad to visit the country, invest in local businesses, and explore cultural or heritage sites.

Tourism packages could be tailored to diaspora needs and preferences while cultural immersion programmes aimed at second and third-generation Zimbabweans abroad are designed to help them stay connected to their roots through internships, volunteer work, and study programmes in Zimbabwe, added Mr Manungo.

The workshop also noted the policy should facilitate expansion and youth exchange programmes that connect diaspora youth with local Zimbabwean youth for mentorship, innovation, and business development.

Participants said this could encourage the younger diaspora generation to engage in national development projects.

It would also entail targeted youth investment opportunities through the creation of youth-specific investment platforms such as start-up funds for diaspora youth to encourage their participation in Zimbabwe’s emerging sectors including technology and entrepreneurship.

“His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s policy on inclusivity requires the National Diaspora Policy to help foster a stronger sense of national pride and encouragement to the diaspora to represent Zimbabwe’s interests globally while maintaining their cultural ties to the homeland.

President Mnangagwa

“This supports second and third-generation engagements with Zimbabweans abroad, drawing from connections with their cultural roots and identity ensuring continuity of ties with Zimbabwe,” noted the chief secretary.

The country’s efforts in reviewing the policy have drawn applause from coordinating partners such as the IOM.

The organisation’s Project Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Dr Emmanuel Quarshire described the development as a milestone noting that regional countries have shown keen interest in embarking on benchmarking visits to the country.

“We commend the Government of Zimbabwe for this milestone. We have been discussing and realise that in the region, Zimbabwe is one of the countries that can develop a policy by the stakeholders themselves.

“Most times, some member states, and consultants are invited to help develop a policy. In this case, we have Zimbabwe stakeholders from various departments sitting in the same room and revising an existing policy,” said Dr Quarshire.

He added: “This is strategic because now Zimbabwe is the current chair of SADC. We have had conversations with colleagues from the region who are willing to come and learn what Zimbabwe is doing differently with other benchmarking visits. The idea is to replicate this in other countries.”

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