07/07/2026
How would a Donation of US$10m assist returning Diasporas?
We asked Zbinites for advice of how a donation of US$10m could assist returning diasporas and few responded.
So we are chipping in and here is our take.
Step 1: Mapping existing Diaspora Chapters.
How many diaspora chapters do we have in Zimbabwe? Registered and non registered. Do a survey and assess strengths and weaknesses. Form an umbrella body and provide capacity building to plug gaps.
2) The Voice of Diasporas.
What do the diasporas need? What are their challenges? What are their strengths?
Solutions should not be dictated, but coming from diasporas themselves.
3) Business Models.
Lets say we have 50k members interested in assistance. They should go into groups, register companies and be legal entities.
•Furniture Making 5k
•Agriculture 10k
•Transport 5k
•Education 5k
•Fashion Making 5k
•Others 20k
Get into groups of say 50 to 100. They use own funds to register companies and develop business plans.
Through banks, they access loans, not grants. Giving startup grants unlikely to work. Even though appearing as grants to local banks in their balance sheets. To beneficiaries, they are loans. Disbursements staggered. And they should show progress.
Banks dont have the expertise of monitoring, and role given to an independent body of experts.
4) *Body of Experts.* Drawn from various fields and backgrounds. Agronomists, Engineers, Financial Experts, Development Experts, Lawyers, Business Coaches, Auditors, IT etc
This body of Subject Matter Experts refine business proposals, and involved in strategies formulation, monitoring, review and follow ups.
*5) Scattered Membership & Mirasapo*
Some returnees in Hauna, Mwenezi, Macheke, Tsholotsho, Madziva, Gweshe and Siabuwa. Monitoring & Reviews very expensive. There is need for a single platform where beneficiaries are part of receiving training, uploading progress reports, discussing challenges and opportunities. The Japanese has a platform called Mirasapo which was adopted by ZBIN.
6) *Access To Markets:* Market Linkages with retail shops, tuckshops,hotels, members of the public and diaspora too. Without a deliberate push for market, they will struggle. The Furniture Manufacturing Company could get access to schools, and colleges furniture supplies. The Clothing Manufacturers could get access to Parastatals uniforms, schools and even the private sector could chip in.
7) *The Role of Government*: Provide a framework that harnesses the best talents from returning diasporas and locals. The Government & Private Sector. Allow innovation, and the talent abounds.
Get onboard ZIMRA, NSSA, Local Authorities, Business Associations, Chiefs, PRAZ and others. They should all be part owners of this initiative. ZIMRA wants these new companies to grow and pay tax. Councils to know there are these new companies of diasporas that need support. Their growth contributes to more rates. Some of the companies to grow into big export players.
*Marketing & Publicity*
The initiative should not be underground. A lot of publicity required to help with access to markets. Constant feature of companies, products, progress achieved etc
*Spinoffs*
•Employment created.
• Formalization of Companies.
•Diaspora support guaranteed.
*Risks*
Zimbabweans generally cannot work together. Some could join to figure out loopholes to pounce and flee. Some to poach strategies and leave. Leadership squabbles etc. But those who decide to leave have noone to blame. Women are more likely to hang on for longer than men.
The business model should not be too rigid. Only rigid on financial management and audits.
Do we even need US$10m for this? I dont think so. The biggest challenge is bringing the scattered members together. They can contribute own funds. Just allow them group access to a few tenders. Make sure they dont squander resources received and they are good to go✨👏
Ntate Victor |ZBIN
www.zbinworld.com
