Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum - London
Co-hosted by Financial Markets Indaba and the Zimbabwe Embassy in United Kingdom
Venue: Zimbabwe Embassy in London Time: 17:00 – 20:00
Financial Markets Indaba in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Embassy in the United Kingdom is co-hosting the Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum on the 17th of April at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London.
Overview
Financial Markets Indaba, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Embassy in the United Kingdom, is convening the Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum as a high-level platform to strengthen structured engagement between diaspora professionals and Zimbabwe’s public and private sectors. Building on the establishment of the Diaspora Professional Sector Clusters, the Forum seeks to evolve diaspora participation into a coordinated, sector-led framework that effectively mobilises skills, capital, and global expertise in support of Zimbabwe’s sustainable development.
Background
Zimbabwe’s diaspora community represents a significant pool of professional expertise, financial capital, and international networks. Across sectors such as health, finance, mining, agriculture, real estate, and professional services, diaspora professionals bring valuable technical knowledge and global experience that can accelerate national development. There is an increasing need for a structured and outcomes-oriented platform that connects this capacity with clearly defined investment opportunities and priority projects. The Forum addresses this by creating a credible, project-focused environment that facilitates direct engagement between diaspora professionals, government institutions and private sector.
Strategic Context
The Zimbabwean diaspora remains a vital partner in advancing the country’s development agenda. The introduction of sector-based clusters provides a practical mechanism to align diaspora expertise and investment capacity with national priorities. Through this structured approach, the Forum enables coordinated participation, supports the development of investment pipelines, and strengthens collaboration across key sectors of the economy.
Forum Structure and Agenda Overview
Enable diaspora professionals to engage directly in projects aligned with their:
- Professional expertise
- Industry experience
- Investment interests
Establish structured working groups through Diaspora Professional Clusters to ensure:
- Continuity
- Accountability
- Measurable outcomes
- Serve as organised platforms for continuous engagement
- Coordinate expertise, deal flow, and investment opportunities
- Act as formal liaison channels between diaspora professionals and Zimbabwean institutions
- Drive long-term, sector-specific development outcomes
The Forum provides a clear pathway for diaspora professionals to contribute as:
- Technical Experts:Offering professional and advisory support to projects
- Strategic Advisors:Supporting government and private sector initiatives
- Investors:Participating through equity, co-investment, and funding structures
- Consortium Partners:Forming professional groups to deliver large-scale projects
This framework positions diaspora professionals not only as sources of capital, but as strategic partners in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
- Increased diaspora participation in bankable projects
- Strengthened collaboration between diaspora, government, and private sector
- Development of structured investment and engagement pipelines
- Establishment of sustainable, sector-driven working groups
Agenda - Friday 17 April 2026
17:30 – 18:00 | Registration
18:00 – 18:05 | Opening – Mr. Levi Mukono, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Zimbabwe in the UK
18:05 – 18:10 | Introduction – Precious Zumbika, Vice Chairperson, Zimbabwe Diaspora Professionals Network
18:10 – 18:30 | Welcome Remarks – H.E Ambassador Colonel (Rtd) Christian Katsande, Embassy of Zimbabwe in the United Kingdom
18:30 – 18:50 | Keynote Address: Mrs Rudo Faranisi Chief Director, Economic Cooperation, International Trade and Diaspora – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
18:50 – 19:10 | Presentation – Mrs Judith Rusike, Director Financial Sector Policy, Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion
19:10 – 19:30 | Presentation: Dakshesh Patel, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe
19:30 – 19:50 | Presentation: Justin Bgoni, Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Falls International Financial Centre
19:50 – 20:10 | Presentation: Mehluli Mpofu, Managing Director, CABS Zimbabwe
20:10 – 20:30 | Presentation: Dedrey Mutimutema, Group Business Development Executive, Old Mutual Zimbabwe
20:30 – 20:50 | Question and Answer Session
20:50 – 21:00 | Close and Networking