STAFF WRITER
Harare– The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), The African Union (AU) and The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) have entered into a landmark partnership to scale up diaspora engagement and inclusive investment for country’s development.
The collaboration is part of a multinational initiative by AfDB and IOM to leverage the African diaspora’s financial and professional contributions to strengthen economic growth and resilience in several African countries, including Zimbabwe.
The partnership will be anchored on the ZAA Diaspora Forum & Global Awards, a premier platform that connects Zimbabweans abroad with their homeland through structured dialogue, investment opportunities, and recognition of excellence hosted in Harare from the 29th to the 30th of August 2025. IOM Zimbabwe’s Chief of Mission, Diana Cartier will deliver a keynote address at the ZAA Diaspora forum and IOM will facilitate a panel discussion entitled Toward Justice, Reparations and Sustainable Development for Africans; the African Diaspora Investment Fund and Market place Within Agenda 2063.
The ZAA Diaspora Forum & Global Awards bring together government leaders, private sector actors, and diaspora representatives to explore practical ways of turning geographical dispersion into a powerful national asset. The collaboration comes at a crucial time when diaspora remittances and expertise are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of sustainable development across Africa.
Research by IOM has consistently shown that diaspora communities play a pivotal role in shaping national development through remittances, knowledge transfer, and skills development. Zimbabwe’s diaspora contributes significantly to the national economy, with remittances surpassing foreign direct investment in recent years. The AfDB has equally prioritized diaspora financing as a vital resource for economic transformation and resilience across the continent.
Through this tripartite partnership:
• ZAA will leverage its global networks and recognition platforms to mobilize Zimbabweans abroad as key development partners.
• IOM will provide technical expertise and frameworks for structured diaspora engagement, aligned with international best practices.
• AfDB will explore innovative financing models that channel diaspora resources into investment opportunities supporting Zimbabwe’s national priorities.
Speaking on the partnership, Conrad Mwanza, ZAA founder, said, “This collaboration is a milestone in our mission to transform the Zimbabwean diaspora from being just remittance senders into full development partners. By working with IOM and AfDB, we are creating pathways for structured investments, innovation, and lasting impact.”
Cartier added, “By formalizing partnerships such as this one with ZAA and the African Development Bank, we are ensuring that Zimbabweans abroad are not just celebrated for their achievements but are meaningfully engaged as drivers of social and economic development. IOM is committed to supporting frameworks that connect migration with sustainable growth.”
For more information please contact:
Fadzai Nyamande-Pangeti fnyamandepan@iom.int (Harare) +263 787 868 608
