Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbra Rwodzi, has passionately called on the Zimbabwean diaspora in the United Kingdom to invest in the country’s burgeoning tourism sector. Speaking at a high-level engagement at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London today, Minister Rwodzi unveiled a new national tourism vision, emphasizing culture and heritage as its core.
She urged Zimbabweans abroad to leverage their rural homes and township properties, converting them into lodges, guesthouses, and cultural centers to tap into the rural tourism cluster. This initiative aims to provide authentic cultural experiences for tourists and unlock idle economic potential. The Minister highlighted that the government, through the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), is prepared to facilitate bankable projects.
The call comes as tourism investment in Zimbabwe has seen significant growth, increasing by 229 percent to US$132.3 million in the first half of the year. New financial instruments, such as Tourism REITs (real estate investment trusts), diaspora bonds, and fractional ownership, are being developed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZ) to enable broader participation in hotel ownership.
Key Players Involved
- Minister Barbra Rwodzi: Zimbabwean Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, spearheading the investment drive.
- Zimbabwean Diaspora in the UK: Target investors for the new tourism initiatives.
- Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA): Government body facilitating investment projects.
- First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa: Patron of the gastronomy tourism cluster, highlighted as the best-performing segment.
Event Timeline
- November 7, 2026: Minister Rwodzi addresses the Zimbabwean diaspora in London.
