By Professor Jairos Kangira
The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) political commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, recently hailed Zimbabweans living and working in the Diaspora for their contribution to the economic development of the country.
In a new year speech directed to Zimbabwean Diaspora community, Machacha highlighted that “through remittances, investments, skills transfer, innovation, and international networks, diasporans have continued to support families, communities, and the national economy during challenging and transformative times.”
Zimbabweans in the diaspora include professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and skilled and semi-skilled workers whose knowledge and global exposure are invaluable assets to national development.
Evidence that backs Machacha’s comments shows that diaspora remittances have become a key pillar of economic stability, contributing significantly to household welfare, education, healthcare, and small business development in Zimbabwe.
This is in tandem with the positive findings of some studies carried out on Africa in this regard. For example, in their study titled The Diaspora and Economic Development in Africa, Blaise Gnimassssoun and John C.
Anyanwu (2019) proved that “the African Diaspora contributes significantly and robustly to the improvement of real per capita income in Africa.” An interesting finding from this study is that diasporans with “low level of education contribute more to remittances to Africa”, although the higher-skilled diasporans have greater impact.
In another study titled Migration, Remittances and the Financing of Development Koffi Yves Yao and Auguste Konan Kouakou (2025) found that migration and remittances “help alleviate poverty and stabilise the economy in the short term while fostering long-term development through investments in human capital, entrepreneurship and social protection” in sub-Saharan Africa.
This study acknowledges that migration and remittances are reliable sources for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.
Focusing on Zimbabwe, I found that considerable research has been conducted on the role diasporans’ remittances play in economic development of the country.
In their study titled The Impact of Remittances on Economic Development in Zimbabwe, Priority Mubhawu, Victoria Masere and Primrose Gurira (2018) concluded that “remittances impacted positively on the economic development in Zimbabwe for the period under review.”
Therefore, it is in the same vein that the ZANU-PF Commissar exhorted Zimbabwean diasporans saying: “Your role in attracting foreign direct investment, facilitating trade linkages, promoting tourism, and supporting industrial growth cannot be overstated.
You are ambassadors of Zimbabwe’s economic potential, capable of opening doors that accelerate development and job creation back home.”
He emphasised that the pivot of the government’s mission is His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of the Party Cde Dr.
Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, “which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030.”
As a national roadmap, Vision 2030 fosters industrialisation, value addition, infrastructure development, agriculture modernisation, mining beneficiation, innovation, and human capital development.
It is highly commendable that the Second Republic has created a conducive business environment in Zimbabwe through policy reforms.
Zimbabweans in the Diaspora are therefore called to play a critical role in the achievement of Vision 2030 by “investing in productive sectors of the economy; transferring skills, technology, and expertise; supporting innovation and entrepreneurship; promoting Zimbabwe as a safe and attractive investment destination; participating in national development programmes and initiatives.”
He reminded Zimbabweans to remain united and loyal to their country wherever they are in the world. “Let us remain united behind ZANU PF and the leadership of President E.D. Mnangagwa as we work together to build a prosperous and self-reliant Zimbabwe.”
Machacha emphasised the restructuring of ZANU-PF Diaspora Districts Executives in 2026 in order to strengthen and ensure efficiency of leadership of the party across all regions. This is essential to guarantee responsiveness and alignment with the party’s national objectives.
He also urged Diaspora Districts to work closely and harmoniously with their respective Embassies, “fostering strong relationships that enhance communication, coordination, and support for Zimbabweans abroad.”
From my experience and observation here in Namibia, I am pleased to report that the Zimbabwe Embassy continues to work diligently for Zimbabweans living and working in this country.
The Embassy has successfully conducted outreach programmes that have resulted in providing services to Zimbabweans living and working in all parts of Namibia.
The Zimbabwe Embassy in Namibia is home away from home, with every Zimbabwean accorded an opportunity to be heard and assisted accordingly.
Professor Jairos Kangira is a leading Zimbabwean academic living and working in Namibia.
E-mail address: kjairos@gmail.com
