Jane Nkiwane
Zimbabwean officials recently visited Ghana to gain insights into leveraging their diaspora community for national development. This collaborative effort, funded by the European Union (EU) and African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to strengthen Zimbabwe’s National Diaspora Policy and boost its economic growth.
“This initiative exemplifies the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in achieving national development goals,” stated Sienzeni Mateta, Director for the Diaspora and Bilateral Trade Unit and head of the delegation.
The delegation, comprised of key government officials, engaged with Ghanaian counterparts in high-level discussions. They learned about Ghana’s successful initiatives, including the Diaspora Affairs Office and the Ghana Beyond the Return program. The visit also included knowledge-sharing sessions at the Centre for Migration Studies and meetings with relevant ministries.
By learning from Ghana’s experience, Zimbabwe aims to improve its own diaspora engagement strategies. This South-South cooperation offers valuable lessons for attracting investment, fostering innovation, and building stronger connections with Zimbabweans abroad.
The visit underscores the potential of diaspora communities to contribute to their home countries’ development. By collaborating with organizations like IOM, Zimbabwe can harness this potential and achieve its Vision 2030 goals.
