By Brenda Mazhambe
HARARE – Zimbabweans living in the diaspora will engage with Government ministries, financial institutions, the private sector and development partners during the second edition of Zimbabwe Diaspora Week 2026, which runs from 3 to 9 August at various venues in Harare and Mashonaland East Province.
The week-long programme will officially open on Monday, 3 August, with an Opening Ceremony and Youth Cultural Exchange at Culture Resort in Harare, where participants will celebrate Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage while fostering connections among young Zimbabweans from across the globe.
On Tuesday, 4 August, activities move to the Ruwa Vocational Training Centre for a Youth Diaspora Peer-to-Peer Workshop and Networking session focused on mentorship, skills development and collaboration.
Held under the theme “Connecting Global Zimbabweans for Investment, Innovation and Youth Empowerment,” the programme is expected to bring together more than 1,000 delegates from countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, South Africa and several other parts of the world.
The organisers told the media on Friday that all preparations have been concluded for the national programme, which seeks to strengthen engagement between Zimbabwe and its citizens living abroad while advancing investment, innovation, skills transfer and youth empowerment.
This year’s edition has been expanded to provide broader engagement opportunities through investment promotion, policy dialogue, business networking and knowledge exchange.
Throughout the week, delegates will also participate in National Projects Tours on Wednesday, 5 August and Thursday, 6 August, visiting key infrastructure, mining, agriculture and industrial development projects in and around Harare to showcase investment opportunities across Zimbabwe’s economy.
On Friday, 7 August, attention shifts to The Heritage Village, where the Diaspora Assembly, Business Forum and Expo will bring together Government officials, investors, development partners and private sector leaders for policy dialogue, exhibitions and business networking.
The programme continues on Saturday, 8 August, with the Zimbabwe AI Summit at MH Arena, highlighting innovation, digital transformation and emerging technologies, before concluding later that evening with the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) Global Gala at The Heritage Village, recognising outstanding Zimbabweans living abroad for their contribution to national development.
The programme is also expected to create direct engagement between diaspora investors and Government institutions responsible for investment facilitation, financial services, innovation, tourism, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and education.
“Zimbabwe Diaspora Week has evolved into a strategic national platform that connects Zimbabweans across the world with opportunities back home. Beyond celebrating the achievements of our diaspora, the programme seeks to unlock investment capital, promote innovation, facilitate skills transfer and strengthen collaboration between Government, business and Zimbabweans abroad.
“We are ready to welcome the diaspora home for a week dedicated to investment, innovation, knowledge exchange and nation building,” the organisers said.
Private sector participation has also continued to grow, with several leading institutions confirming sponsorship and exhibition participation. Among the major partners are CBZ Bank, Old Mutual Zimbabwe, FBC Bank and ZB Financial Holdings, alongside other financial institutions, investment firms and corporate organisations supporting diaspora engagement initiatives.
Zimbabweans living abroad continue to play a significant role in the country’s economy, contributing more than US$2.2 billion annually in remittances, making the diaspora one of Zimbabwe’s largest sources of foreign currency while supporting households, businesses and national development.
The week-long programme will also provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals to engage with experienced Zimbabwean business leaders and investors from the diaspora, creating partnerships that support enterprise development, employment creation and sustainable economic growth.
“We invite every Zimbabwean, wherever they may be across the globe, to take part in this important initiative. Together we can harness our collective expertise, innovation and resources to build a prosperous Zimbabwe for present and future generations,” said the organisers.
