Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Zimbabweans living abroad have been urged to look beyond remittances and take advantage of investment opportunities in the tourism sector to directly contribute to the country’s economic transformation and attainment of Vision 2030.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said the sector presented significant opportunities for the Diaspora to participate in national development through investments in accommodation, hospitality infrastructure, conference facilities, cultural tourism, heritage and rural tourism.
She made the remarks during the Zimbabwe Diaspora Engagement Forum and Dinner held at Zimbabwe House in London following the conclusion of the World Travel Market (WTM) 2026, where the country took its tourism investment agenda directly to Zimbabweans living abroad.
The engagement was attended by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Col (Rtd) Christian Katsande and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Dr George Manyaya.
Minister Rwodzi conveyed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appreciation for the continued contribution made by Zimbabweans abroad through remittances, which have sustained the economy over the years, while highlighting the need for these contributions to be complemented by direct investment into the country.
She said tourism was a low-hanging sector with opportunities for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to become active participants in the country’s economic transformation.
“As an important constituency in Zimbabwe’s economy, the Diaspora must not be left behind in the programmes and projects advancing Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2,” said Minister Rwodzi.
The Minister drew attention to the 13 tourism clusters, which offer diverse investment opportunities for Zimbabweans abroad to establish businesses and participate in the development of the country’s tourism infrastructure.
She highlighted accommodation and hospitality investment opportunities in Victoria Falls, particularly around the Mosi-oa-Tunya development, as well as conference facilities in Harare ahead of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 2029 engagements.
Cultural, heritage and rural tourism were also identified as areas where Diaspora investors could contribute towards unlocking the country’s tourism potential.
Beyond attracting foreign currency and expanding the tourism industry, Minister Rwodzi said investment in the sector had the potential to generate employment, empower communities, create enterprise opportunities and transform livelihoods.
She assured prospective investors that Government was ready to facilitate investment, encouraging Zimbabweans abroad to take advantage of the available opportunities and become partners in the country’s development.
Ambassador Katsande applauded the Diaspora for its continued contribution to national development and encouraged stronger engagement with Government and the private sector.
The engagement comes as Zimbabwe continues to position tourism as an important driver of economic growth, with the Diaspora presenting an important pool of potential investors, entrepreneurs and business partners.
By channeling some of their resources into tourism ventures, Zimbabweans abroad can move from being contributors to the economy through remittances to becoming direct participants in building businesses, creating jobs and expanding the country’s tourism infrastructure.
It was added that this would also strengthen the link between Zimbabwe’s tourism development agenda and its citizens abroad, ensuring that they remain part of the country’s economic transformation journey.
