Zimbabwe received $2.45 billion in diaspora remittances in 2025, with the United Kingdom overtaking South Africa as the leading source of funds sent to the country.
The figures returned to prominence following the close on Sunday, 9 August, of Zimbabwe Diaspora Week, which brought together Zimbabwean citizens resident in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, South Africa, and other countries.
Remittances have become one of Zimbabwe’s primary sources of foreign currency, helping to cover household expenses, school fees, healthcare costs, property purchases, and the financing of small businesses.
The growth in remittance inflows had already been evident throughout 2025. In the first five months of the year, receipts reached $880 million, underscoring the rising volume of funds sent by Zimbabweans living abroad.
Zimbabwe is also part of a broader remittance expansion trend across Africa, where money sent by citizens residing overseas can, in some countries, exceed revenues generated from exports.
Zimbabwe received approximately $709.6 million from the United Kingdom in 2025, compared with $702.6 million sent from South Africa, according to central bank data cited by Bloomberg.
The narrow gap between the two markets reflects the growth of the Zimbabwean community in the UK, even as South Africa remains one of the principal destinations for workers and families from its neighbour.
The United States, Australia, and other markets also contributed to the total. However, the UK and South Africa together accounted for more than half of all recorded inflows.
Remittances are of particular significance given that Zimbabwe continues to face constraints on access to foreign currency and carries an external debt of $2.7 billion — a situation that has curtailed the country’s access to affordable international financing.
Funds sent by the diaspora also support cross-border trade with neighbouring countries, helping families and small enterprises finance the purchase of goods, education, transport, and investment.
Official estimates indicate that remittances represent more than 8% of Zimbabwe’s economy and constitute the country’s second-largest source of foreign currency.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recorded an increase of approximately 14% in formal remittance inflows in 2025. Estimates from the African Development Bank (AfDB), based on a broader methodology, point to a higher figure, meaning totals vary depending on the accounting method applied.
Despite the growth in remittances, Zimbabwe continues to face challenges in managing these flows. While formal transfers help to increase the availability of foreign currency, high transaction costs, exchange rate differentials, and limited confidence in financial institutions can divert a portion of funds into informal channels, making them harder to measure.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/10/mundo/africa/zimbabue-pais-recebeu-quase-25-mm-em-remessas-da-diaspora/
