Zimbabwe's real estate and agricultural sectors are experiencing a surge in investment from the diaspora, fueled by two young content creators who have become unlikely influencers. Kundai Chitima, 31, and Kelvin Birioti, 20, use YouTube and Instagram to showcase property tours, farming tips, and market analysis, drawing growing interest from Zimbabweans abroad.

Birioti, who dropped out of university due to financial constraints, said he focused on filling an information gap and protecting the diaspora from scams. Chitima returned from South Africa in 2015 after facing wage inequality and now creates educational content to prevent fraud. Both report frequent calls from diaspora members who have been scammed.

Catherine Mutisi, an accountant who lived in the UK for 17 years, decided to permanently relocate after watching Birioti's videos. She said earlier negative narratives made her cautious, but the content opened her eyes to opportunities. Similar stories are common, according to the creators.

Zimbabwe's unemployment rate stood at 21.8% in Q3 2024, with youth unemployment at 76.8%, according to World Bank data. Despite this, diaspora investment is robust: real estate agents say up to 50% of high-end properties are bought by Zimbabweans abroad, and land prices have risen 20-30% annually. Remittances hit $2.45 billion in 2025, largely directed into real estate, agriculture, and small businesses.

Economist Tashinga Kajiva noted that while economic pressures push many to emigrate, diaspora investment remains strong due to emotional ties. Content creators like Chitima and Birioti are reshaping perceptions, but the country's economic realities keep many in the diaspora cautious about returning permanently.

Source: www.aljazeera.com