By Kudzai Makuku
Zimbabwe boasts one of Africa’s most vibrant and influential diaspora communities, with millions of its nationals living and thriving across the globe—in countries such as South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Namibia, and beyond. Collectively, this global Zimbabwean community contributes over US$1 billion annually in remittances, positioning the diaspora as one of the country’s foremost sources of foreign currency inflows.
Yet, beyond their financial contributions, Zimbabweans abroad possess a formidable reservoir of knowledge, technical expertise, international exposure, and high-level networks spanning key sectors including commerce, academia, governance, medicine, technology, diplomacy, and engineering. If deliberately harnessed, this intellectual capital could catapult Zimbabwe’s developmental agenda in transformative and unprecedented ways.
Political engagement by the diaspora holds significant potential to fast-track national progress. However, despite their economic significance and patriotic devotion, Zimbabweans in the diaspora remain largely marginalised within the nation’s formal political and policy-making frameworks—owing to a constellation of systemic and legislative constraints.
This underutilisation of a strategic national asset constitutes a glaring missed opportunity for both the Government and the ruling establishment. One viable mechanism to rectify this could be the introduction of a Diaspora Quota—a policy innovation that reserves a designated number of parliamentary or senatorial seats specifically for Zimbabweans living abroad. This model could be drawn from the successful implementation of the Youth and Women’s Quotas, which have broadened political inclusivity across the country.
The adoption of a diaspora quota makes strategic and developmental sense, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of the Second Republic. The New Dispensation, led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has consistently advocated for re-engagement, economic liberalisation, and inclusive governance. A diaspora quota would reinforce the pillars of Vision 2030 by enhancing democratic participation, fostering national solidarity, and ensuring that no citizen is sidelined—regardless of geographic location.
Furthermore, this initiative presents an opportunity to reinforce ZANU PF’s strategic foresight. The ruling party made a pivotal move in 2022 by formally integrating diaspora structures into its constitution—a visionary decision that laid the groundwork for deeper engagement with Zimbabweans abroad. This early adoption gives the party a strategic advantage in diaspora mobilisation. Institutionalising a diaspora quota would further consolidate ZANU PF’s image as a progressive, people-centred organisation committed to innovation and inclusivity.
Beyond remittances, the Zimbabwean diaspora constitutes a vast wellspring of political capital, innovation, and goodwill. By formally granting political representation through a quota system, the government would be sending a powerful and symbolic message: the diaspora is not peripheral—it is an integral part of the national fabric. Such recognition would foster a stronger sense of national identity and belonging, while also incentivising increased investments—both financial and technical—from Zimbabweans abroad.
Diaspora citizens are immersed in global governance models, emerging technologies, and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems. Their integration into Zimbabwe’s policymaking landscape could stimulate new ideas, bolster accountability, and enhance institutional performance by infusing international best practices. Moreover, it could serve as a nation-building catalyst, addressing feelings of disenfranchisement and promoting a more cohesive and inclusive Zimbabwe. A formal quota would validate the diaspora’s stake in the country’s future and promote greater political unity.
Engaging the diaspora is not only a moral imperative, recognising the enduring contributions of all Zimbabweans, but also a strategic necessity for long-term national development. The establishment of a Diaspora Quota would represent a bold, forward-thinking step towards solidifying Zimbabwe’s reputation as an inclusive, mature democracy—one capable of fully leveraging the collective strength of its global citizenry.
For ZANU PF, this is a defining opportunity to lead decisively, extend its legacy from a liberation movement to a transformative, developmental powerhouse, and ensure that every Zimbabwean—irrespective of where they reside—has a voice in shaping the nation’s future.
Now is the time to bridge the divide. A unified Zimbabwe, embracing both its domestic and global citizens, is stronger, more resilient, and far better equipped to achieve the ambitious milestones set forth in Vision 2030.
