Zimbabweans living abroad are increasingly turning to social media for investment advice, reshaping trends in real estate and farming. Digital influencers Kundai Chitima, 31, and Kelvin Birioti, 20, have built large followings by posting videos and updates about opportunities in Zimbabwe. Their content—ranging from property tours to agricultural tips—is influencing decisions on whether to return or invest.

For Catherine Mutisi, a former accountant in the UK, their posts changed her plans. After spending 17 years in the UK, Mutisi had already invested in Zimbabwe by building two homes and buying land. But after seeing Birioti’s content during construction, she shifted from visiting to considering permanent relocation. “Gradually, my mind and plans shifted from just visiting Zimbabwe towards wanting to permanently relocate,” she said.

The shift reflects a broader trend. Many in the diaspora now rely on social media over government narratives or traditional media to evaluate life back home. Influencers like Chitima and Birioti provide on-the-ground perspectives, including market trends and practical farming advice, which were previously unavailable to those abroad.

Economic impact on Zimbabwe

Real estate and farming sectors are seeing rising interest from abroad. Diaspora investments in property have surged in cities like Harare and Bulawayo, while agricultural projects, especially in tobacco and maize, attract funding from returnees and remote investors. According to local reports, remittances linked to these investments have climbed by over 15% in the past two years.

Chitima, who left Zimbabwe in 2010, now runs a popular YouTube channel sharing property listings and renovation tips. His videos often highlight undervalued real estate and potential returns. Birioti, a younger influencer, focuses on agricultural ventures, posting tutorials on soil preparation and crop rotation. Both have amassed tens of thousands of followers, many of whom are Zimbabweans abroad.

Mutisi is not alone. Others in the UK, US, and South Africa report similar decisions after consuming this content. Many cite the lack of trust in official economic reports and the desire for firsthand, relatable insights as key factors. Social media platforms have become unofficial advisers for financial planning and life decisions.

Challenges and skepticism

Despite the trend, skepticism remains. Some economists warn that social media portrayals can oversimplify risks. Zimbabwe’s currency instability and land reform policies still pose challenges for investors. Yet, the influencers counter by emphasizing long-term opportunities and community-driven projects. Their content often includes interviews with local farmers and real estate agents to add credibility.

The government has taken notice. Officials have begun collaborating with some influencers to promote investment zones and agricultural programs. While not all outreach is welcomed—some critics argue it’s a form of state-backed PR—others see it as a step toward transparency.

What happens next could reshape Zimbabwe’s economy. If the trend continues, more diaspora members may return or invest, bringing skills and capital. Cities could see a construction boom, while rural areas might gain new farming enterprises. The shift also pressures the government to improve infrastructure and services to attract and retain these investors.

For now, the power of social media in shaping diaspora decisions is clear. Influencers are no longer just content creators—they’re economic gatekeepers, guiding where money flows and who comes home.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 13:09 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #sports · #nfl · #american-football

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Zimbabuenses na diáspora estão reescrevendo suas estratégias de investimento e até mesmo de retorno ao país após consumirem conteúdos de influenciadores nas redes sociais que destacam oportunidades no Zimbábue, especialmente nos setores imobiliário e agrícola. Imagens de fazendas férteis e empreendimentos imobiliários promissores, compartilhadas por figuras públicas que romantizam o “renascimento econômico” local, têm atraído cada vez mais expatriados dispostos a apostar no futuro da nação africana.

No Brasil, onde a diáspora africana e a busca por oportunidades no exterior também moldam investimentos e fluxos migratórios, a tendência chama atenção. Especialistas brasileiros em economia internacional observam que, assim como os zimbabuenses, muitos brasileiros no exterior são influenciados por narrativas otimistas — seja de parentes, influenciadores ou até governos — para repatriar recursos ou planejar mudanças de vida. A diferença, no entanto, está nos riscos: enquanto o Zimbábue enfrenta instabilidade política crônica e sanções internacionais, o Brasil oferece um mercado imobiliário mais consolidado, mas com desafios como a burocracia e a desigualdade regional. Para os zimbabuenses, a aposta na terra natal ainda é um tiro no escuro, mas a força das redes sociais mostra como a informação digital pode redefinir destinos econômicos.

Se essa onda de “influenciadores do retorno” ganhar força, o Zimbábue poderá ver não só um influxo de capital, mas também um movimento migratório inverso — com implicações imprevisíveis para sua estabilidade social e econômica.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Zimbabuenses en el extranjero están redefiniendo sus estrategias de inversión y retorno al país tras consumir contenido en redes sociales donde influencers promueven oportunidades en sectores clave. La tendencia, impulsada por plataformas digitales, está transformando el mercado inmobiliario y agrícola, atrayendo capitales que antes fluían hacia mercados más estables.

El fenómeno refleja cómo la diáspora zimbabuense, una de las más numerosas de África, prioriza ahora el impacto emocional y económico de contribuir al desarrollo local sobre la mera búsqueda de seguridad financiera. Para los hispanohablantes, especialmente en contextos migratorios similares como el de venezolanos o colombianos, esta dinámica subraya el poder de las redes como catalizador de decisiones, aunque también plantea interrogantes sobre la sostenibilidad de estas inversiones y los riesgos de depender de narrativas mediáticas sin análisis crítico previo.