Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment Forum Attracts Over 360 Participants to Boost Tourism Investment

Melbourne, Australia — Zimbabwe's Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has stepped up efforts to mobilise diaspora investment after the Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment and Business Opportunities Forum in Melbourne attracted over 360 participants from across Australia and beyond to discuss tourism, investment, trade and business opportunities.

The hybrid forum held on Friday, July 10, organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Australia, brought together government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals and members of the Zimbabwean diaspora.

Over 160 delegates attended in person while a further 200 participated online.

Held under the theme "Exploring Investment and Business Opportunities in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Zimbabwe for the Diaspora," the forum formed part of the Government's broader strategy to strengthen engagement with Zimbabweans living abroad while encouraging investment in tourism, one of the country's priority economic sectors.

The event was coordinated by the Zimbabwean Embassy in Australia together with Tendai Chitafi Mataranyika based in Sydney, and the Melbourne organising team which include Philbert Mhandu, Kuzy Kawodza and Evan Musonza.

Speaking to Kwedu News on the sidelines of the forum, Zimbabwe's Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, said Australia was deliberately chosen because of both its growing tourism potential and its importance as a source of diaspora investment.

"Why we chose to come to Australia is because after South Africa, the UK and USA, Australia is number four to contribute to the diaspora remittance," Hon. Rwodzi said.

She said Zimbabwe received approximately US$1.5 billion in diaspora remittances between January and June 2026, presenting an opportunity to channel some of those funds into productive investment.

"We have realised that from January to June 2026 this year, US$1.5 billion is coming to the country remitted by the diaspora, and we want to tap into that to ensure that what the Government has given us is special economic zones for tourism.

"We will get investment, not just foreign direct investment from internationals, but also diaspora investment from our own people," she said.

Minister Rwodzi said President Emmerson Mnangagwa's "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" policy places particular emphasis on encouraging Zimbabweans abroad to invest at home.

"The President is putting foreign policy that says Zimbabwe is open for business, we are friends to all and enemy to none, but as it is open for business, it's more open to Zimbabweans," she said.

She described tourism as one of Zimbabwe's most accessible investment sectors.

"Tourism is a low-hanging fruit in terms of investment. Any small amount of money can start a tourism business."

The Minister said the Government was seeking investment in tourism infrastructure, services and public-private partnerships, while also encouraging Zimbabweans abroad to become ambassadors for the country's tourism industry.

"We're encouraging them to come. This session was about diaspora engagement for investment and destination promotion," she said 

Hon. Rwodzi said the Australian visit would continue in Sydney, where the delegation planned to engage Australian tour operators to strengthen partnerships with Zimbabwean tourism businesses.

Some of the  attendees at the Melbourne Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment Forum.

She noted that although Australia ranks behind several traditional source markets in visitor numbers, Australian travellers are among Zimbabwe's highest-spending international tourists.

"Australia is on number four, but they are the highest spenders. We want to encourage more Australians to come because the issue of receipts is more important than just arriving."

Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Australia, Joe Tapera Mhishi, described the Melbourne forum as a landmark engagement between the Government and Zimbabweans living in Australia.

"It's a maiden event for the Zimbabwean Government and for the Zimbabwean diaspora," Ambassador Mhishi said.

He estimated that about 60,000 Zimbabweans live in Australia and said many continue contributing to Zimbabwe through remittances, investment, philanthropy, skills transfer and knowledge sharing.

"Zimbabwe's diaspora in Australia numbers up to about 60,000 people, and most of these remain with strong connections with home," the Ambassador said.

Mhishi noted that the Government wanted to ensure the diaspora played a meaningful role in developing Zimbabwe's tourism sector.

"We don't want to leave the diaspora community behind when it comes to developing the tourism sector," he said adding that tourism had become one of Zimbabwe's leading economic sectors.

"At the moment, Zimbabwe's tourism sector is the third largest contributor to GDP, and it is important that we continue to develop that sector," he said.

The programme featured presentations from several government institutions and tourism stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

An interactive question-and-answer session with Minister Rwodzi provided participants with an opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarification and discuss investment opportunities directly with government representatives.

Many attendees later identified the session as one of the forum's highlights, saying it demonstrated the Government's willingness to engage openly with Zimbabweans living abroad.

Participants also praised ZIDA's presentation for explaining investment procedures, investor protection measures and reforms aimed at improving Zimbabwe's business environment.

Participants expressed strong support for the forum.

One of the participants, Thembi Maramba, described the programme as "great" and "worth attending," singling out ZIDA's presentation as particularly informative.

Blessed Mhako, another ettendee, thanked the organisers, Minister Rwodzi and the government delegation, saying the presentations had strengthened investor confidence.

He suggested future forums include institutions such as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and additional Ministries from Zimbabwe to provide broader investment information.

Another participant, one Samatshu, said he had learned a great deal from the forum but recommended bilingual interpretation or English summaries during some presentations to improve accessibility for all attendees.

Participant who travelled from Australia's Northern Territory described the forum as worthwhile despite the considerable travel costs and pledged to encourage more Zimbabweans from the region to attend future engagements.

The Melbourne forum demonstrated growing interest among Zimbabweans abroad in contributing to national development through tourism, investment and business partnerships, the organisers said.

They also said the event laid a foundation for continued engagement between the Government and the diaspora, with future initiatives expected to focus on converting diaspora interest into tangible investment, expanding tourism partnerships and increasing visitor arrivals from Australia.