President Emmerson Mnangagwa has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to review Zimbabwe's National Diaspora Policy, and told the country's ambassadors that serving abroad "is no child's play, and it is certainly not a holiday".

He made the remarks on Monday at a meet-and-greet with ambassadors, ambassadors-designate and chargés d'affaires at the Harare International Conference Centre, after the ministry's senior management and ambassadors' retreat.

What the President said

In a post on his official X account after the event, Mr Mnangagwa wrote: "Crucially, I have challenged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review our National Diaspora Policy. Our diplomats must show deep humanity to all Zimbabweans visiting or living near our missions. The diaspora is a vital pillar in building our country, and they deserve our utmost support."

He did not say what the review would change or when it would finish.

The Herald reported that the President urged the envoys to put national development at the centre of their work, opening doors for trade, investment, tourism, technology transfer and skills. "All embassies are strategic and competitive platforms for trade promotion, investment facilitation and tourism marketing," he said, according to the paper.

"Working in liaison with the relevant departments back home, you have a duty to advance our national development goals and transform the quality of life for every Zimbabwean," he told them, as quoted by The Herald.

In his X post, the President also pointed to Zimbabwe's election to the UN Security Council, its COMESA chairmanship and plans to host the AfCFTA Council of Ministers in 2027, and asked every mission to report on time and stay alert to "emerging threats".

Why it matters to the diaspora

For Zimbabweans in the UK, South Africa and elsewhere, the embassy is often the first stop for passports, documents and help in a crisis, and the President's words set an expectation of how missions should treat them.

The money at stake is large. Diaspora remittances brought in US$2.45 billion in 2025, according to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe figures reported by NewZimbabwe.

The current National Diaspora Policy dates back to 2016, when Zimbabwe developed it with support from the UN migration agency IOM, according to the agency. A review could change how the government engages Zimbabweans abroad, including on investment and their links with home.

What we don't know yet

There is no timetable for the review, and the ministry has not said whether diaspora groups will be consulted.

Zimbo Grapevine will follow the review and report any changes that affect Zimbabweans living overseas.

Sources: President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa), official X post, 2 Nov 2026 10:56 GMT (opened live via X API): https://x.com/edmnangagwa/status/2117209198832357425 · The Herald (Wallace Ruzvidzo), "Zimbabwe's diplomats urged to prioritise trade, investment", 2 Nov 2026 (HTTP 200): https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/zimbabwes-diplomats-urged-to-prioritise-trade-investment/ · The Herald, "In pictures: President hosts meet-and-greet reception for ambassadors", 2 Nov 2026 (HTTP 200): https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/in-pictures-president-hosts-meet-and-greet-reception-for-ambassadors/ · NewZimbabwe, "Diaspora remittances contributed US$2.45 billion to economy in 2025: RBZ" (HTTP 200, headline figure only): https://www.newzimbabwe.com/diaspora-remittances-contributed-us2-45-billion-to-economy-in-2025-rbz/ · IOM, "Zimbabwe Develops National Diaspora Policy with UN Migration Agency Support" (background, search extract; 403 to curl): https://www.iom.int/news/zimbabwe-develops-national-diaspora-policy-un-migration-agency-support

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