The
United
Kingdom
is
set
to
become
Zimbabwe’s
largest
source
of
remittances
this
year,
surpassing
South
Africa
for
the
first
time,
according
to
Finance
Minister
Mthuli
Ncube.
Zimbabwe’s
remittance
inflows
have
surged
over
the
past
five
years,
a
sign
of
the
growing
influence
of
its
diaspora
on
the
national
economy.
New
data
shows
that
the
United
Kingdom
has
now
overtaken
South
Africa
as
the
country’s
top
source
of
remittances,
stressing
shifting
migration
and
income
patterns
among
Zimbabweans
abroad.
According
to
official
figures,
diaspora
remittances
rose
sharply
from
US$922
million
in
2019
to
US$2.58
billion
in
2024,
a
195%
increase.
This
trend
is
expected
to
continue,
with
inflows
projected
to
reach
US$2.72
billion
in
2025
and
exceed
US$2.75
billion
by
2026.
Data
for
the
first
quarter
of
2025
places
the
United
Kingdom
and
South
Africa
as
the
two
largest
contributors.
The
UK
accounted
for
28.6%
of
total
inflows,
about
US$779
million,
while
South
Africa
followed
closely
with
27.5%,
or
US$748
million.
Shifting
migration
patterns
Zimbabwe’s
recurring
economic
crises,
marked
by
hyperinflation,
currency
instability,
and
declining
job
opportunities,
have
driven
a
steady
wave
of
emigration
in
recent
years.
A
growing
number
of
professionals
have
relocated
to
the
United
Kingdom,
a
shift
that
has
significantly
boosted
remittance
inflows
from
the
diaspora.
Although
four
out
of
five
Zimbabweans
abroad
still
live
in
neighbouring
South
Africa,
changing
migration
patterns
and
income
levels
are
reshaping
the
flow
of
funds
back
home.
South
Africa’s
share
of
Zimbabwe’s
remittance
inflows
has
gradually
declined,
falling
from
38.3%
in
2021
to
27.5%
in
2025,
while
the
UK’s
contribution
has
steadily
grown
from
24.7%
to
28.6%
over
the
same
period.
Meanwhile,
inflows
from
the
US
and
Australia
have
seen
consistent
growth,
mirroring
changing
migration
destinations
and
the
expanding
economic
participation
of
Zimbabweans
abroad.
The
United
States
contributed
11.2%
(around
US$305
million),
while
Australia
made
up
5.5%
(roughly
US$150
million).
Smaller
but
notable
shares
came
from
Canada
(2.1%,
or
US$57
million)
and
Botswana
(2.0%,
or
US$54
million).
The
Rest
of
the
World
segment,
encompassing
multiple
smaller
contributors,
collectively
added
23.1%,
or
US$627
million.