Diaspora property expo slated for UK
The Zimbabwe Property Investment Expo Diaspora (ZPIExD) will hold its inaugural property and real investment indaba in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2025, to discuss opportunities for investment in the country by locals living and working abroad.
ZPIExD’s vision is to be a leading investment facilitation platform for Zimbabweans abroad, to foster sustainable growth, economic inclusion and wealth building through structured real estate investments.
The UK expo is scheduled to bring together all major real estate developers to discuss Zimbabwe’s real estate sector and opportunities for locals working and staying in the Diaspora.
Managing director Ms Nonhlahla Tutani said the UK ZPIExD was the first of many planned for Australia, South Africa and the United States.
She said her organisation would have representatives in the UK, working with key stakeholders like banks, to provide appropriate mortgage loans and developers in Zimbabwe to offer tailored real estate solutions, especially for Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
In terms of housing, Zimbabwe has an estimated 1,25 million people on the housing waiting list.
Zimbabwe has a significant housing deficit due to a combination of factors, including rapid urbanisation, economic challenges the economy has gone through, and ineffective housing solutions offered by many developers.
The housing deficit has resulted in unplanned settlements and strain on public infrastructure and overcrowding.
The Government has responded to the situation through the National Housing Delivery Programme.
Under the programme, the Government intends to support the construction of 220 000 housing units by 2025 and over 470 000 in the medium to long term.
It is also working on the regularisation of informal settlements to ensure access to affordable housing for the majority of citizens.
Given the significant demand for housing in the country, amid limited supply, residents and Zimbabweans in the diaspora have been victims of numerous housing scams.
“People in the diaspora have been victims of property and land scams at the hands of their relatives or friends whom they would have trusted with their funds.”
The ZPIExD is there to bridge the gap and ensure there is a direct interface between the purchaser and the real estate and construction service providers.
“We have something exciting for the diaspora market from residential to commercial properties offering special discounts,” Ms Tutani said.
ZPIExD will facilitate construction management for individuals building from scratch.
“The key driving force of ZPIExD is affordable housing and economic growth. Real estate industry can contribute to the provision of affordable housing, a key component of Vision 2030.
“By developing affordable housing projects, developers can help address the housing shortage and provide decent living conditions for low to medium income households, thereby increasing their economic stability and mobility,” she said.
Ms Tutani the real estate industry can stimulate economic growth through developing properties that cater to various sectors such as commercial, industrial and residential facilities.
“This can lead to increased investment, job creation and economic activity.
Overall, the real estate industry has a significant role to play in supporting the Zimbabwean Government’s vision of having an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” she added.-herald
