Derick Tsimba

Zimbabwe has created a Diaspora Policy, which is a platform to engage the Diaspora community and also to establish the necessary inclusive institutions for coordination and proper administration of Diaspora issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Pavelyn Tendai Musaka said while addressing the Diaspora community recently in Botswana.

The Ambassador and Head of Delegation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said “Zimbabwe together with International Organization Migration (IOM) has created a Diaspora policy that effectively integrates the Diaspora into Zimbabwe’s community.”

She also said Zimbabwe has a large Diaspora that migrated mainly to Botswana South Africa United Kingdom Canada United States Australia New Zealand etc. 

“Although no systemic head count has been undertaken, it is estimated that over 2500 000 Zimbabweans are living in countries abroad, the majority having left Zimbabwe in the past two decades. A number of these Diasporans have a strong desire to engage and contribute to the economic and social development of Zimbabwe.

“Government through the Diaspora policy recognizes the fact that Zimbabwe’s Diaspora has huge and untapped potential to be harnessed for the development of the nation as well as the benefit of the Diasporans, therefore the Zimbabwe Diaspora is the important link if not the missing link for the development matrix of Zimbabwe,” she said.

Ambassador Musaka also said the Diaspora Directorate is a formal platform to direct and drive the Diaspora engagement process in the country.

“Specifically the Directorate undertakes the following functions; developing and managing the Diaspora data base including a dedicated website kinked to all stakeholders, conduct outreach programmes with the Diaspora in order to promote  the interests of the Diaspora and  the state, mainstream the Diaspora into the national development agenda, facilitate Diaspora investment in the productive sector of the economy and coordinate line Ministries and stakeholders activities that enhance protection of Diaspora rights and remove bottlenecks confronting them among others,” she said.