Antony Chawagarira
Leaders and residents in Mashonaland East have praised Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire following his widely discussed address at the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) UK 2026, where he challenged Zimbabweans in the diaspora to move beyond remittances and actively participate in building sustainable industries back home.
Machakaire, who was the Guest of Honour at the ZAA Diaspora Investment and Skills Forum held at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham on May 15, delivered a keynote speech that has since generated debate among business leaders, economists and young Zimbabweans both at home and abroad. The Minister urged diaspora Zimbabweans to invest their skills, expertise, innovation and entrepreneurial abilities into the country’s development agenda.
The ZAA UK 2026 forum brought together diaspora professionals, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers to discuss opportunities within Zimbabwe’s evolving economic and investment landscape.
Addressing hundreds of Zimbabwean professionals, investors and entrepreneurs based in the United Kingdom, Machakaire said Zimbabwe’s future depended on productive capital and institutional development rather than dependency-driven philanthropy.
“We are not simply asking for money. Zimbabwe needs builders, innovators and people willing to create systems that will outlive individuals. The diaspora possesses valuable knowledge, networks and global experience that can help transform communities and industries back home,” he said.
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said Machakaire’s speech reflected a growing recognition that human capital was becoming more valuable than natural resources in the global economy.
“What the Minister articulated is the reality that countries now compete through innovation, skills and technology. Zimbabwe’s diaspora community is highly educated and experienced internationally. If properly engaged, it can become one of the country’s biggest development assets,” Ngwenya said.
Minister Machakaire highlighted the importance of global skills mobility, saying Zimbabwe should position itself to benefit from the expertise of millions of Zimbabweans working in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and South Africa. He said the country’s development ambitions under Vision 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063 required active participation from the diaspora not merely as financiers, but as operators capable of transferring knowledge and building institutions.
The Minister also placed significant emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital innovation and vocational training, arguing that Zimbabwe’s future competitiveness would depend on developing a technologically skilled workforce capable of solving high-value problems.
Minister Machakaire further described creative industries as strategic economic infrastructure rather than mere entertainment sectors, saying Zimbabwean music, film, fashion and arts could help strengthen the country’s global identity while opening international markets for local businesses.
The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, which annually recognises outstanding Zimbabweans in the diaspora, was also commended for promoting a culture of excellence, integrity and achievement among young people.
Also at the event, Professor Arthur Mutambara said African countries needed to urgently adapt to the rapidly changing global digital economy.
“The world is transitioning into a knowledge-based economy where innovation determines national success. Countries investing in AI, digital skills and technology entrepreneurship will dominate future industries,” he said.
Community members in Mashonaland East said they were proud to see one of their own representing Zimbabwe confidently on an international stage.
“Tino Machakaire has shown patriotism and vision by encouraging Zimbabweans abroad to come back with ideas, innovation and investment. Young people need leaders who inspire them to believe in national development,” said Marondera-based youth activist Tendai Muchengeti.
Businessman Elias Chikore from Murehwa added that the Minister’s message resonated with many Zimbabweans frustrated by dependency on external aid.
“We cannot build a strong economy through handouts alone. We need industries, technology, factories and businesses that create jobs for the youth. That is what the Minister was advocating for,” he said.
Machakaire’s remarks come at a time when Zimbabwe continues seeking to harness diaspora remittances, which remain one of the country’s key foreign currency sources, while also encouraging skilled Zimbabweans abroad to contribute towards national development.
