Diaspora Matters

This website has been around for a good 10 years and is loaded with resources. If it is your first time, we welcome you and hope you will enjoy and also learn from the hundreds of posts on this website. You may also want to join the forum of 336, 000 members with platforms such as Facebook Group and Whatsapp Platforms.

Most of our recent content is targeted at returning residents from South Africa and this latest one is on Papaya Farming.

Are you a returning diasporan?

Stuck on what to do?

No big capital. No farm.

This is NOT another “started with $1” motivational story.

This is real, practical, and doable.

Meet Mr Garande — ZBIN Farmer

One of ZBIN’s leading agripreneurs.

In 2017 he pioneered *Hybrid Paw Paw Farming*… from his rural home in Shamva.

He hasn’t looked back since.

……

The Batisisai Formula.

……

This is how he did it:

1. Start Small, Start Smart.

Nursed seedlings in Harare where water and expertise were available.

2. Time With The Rains.

Transported the young plants to Shamva right at the start of rainy season. Nature did 70% of the watering for free.

3. First Harvest = Capital.

By end of rains, the plants flowered and fruited. He sold the first harvest and used the profits to fund a solar-powered irrigation system.

4. Farm All Year

That solar system meant no more waiting for rain. Dry season became harvest season too.

Where’s The Market?

He didn’t plant and pray.

Before spending $1, Mr Garande did research.

He found out:Most paw paws in Harare are imported from South Africa.

Problem? They wilt in transit. Poor quality on shelves. High prices.

Harare’s Paw Paw Problem = Shamva’s Opportunity.

Local. Fresh. Ripe. Affordable.

Supermarkets, vendors, and restaurants were tired of bad imports. They wanted a reliable local supplier.

3 Lessons From Mr Garande:

1. *Use What You Have* → Rural land + rain = low startup cost

2. *Solve A Real Problem* → Bad imports created demand for local paw paws

3. Reinvest Profits* → First harvest funded irrigation. Irrigation funded year-round income

Bottom Line:

You don’t need 100 hectares or $50k to start.

You need research, timing, and a crop that solves a city problem from a rural base.

Shamva proved it.

Paw Paws proved it.

Mr Garande proved it.

ZBIN Question For You:

What “city problem” can your rural home solve?

I havent checked with lately whether he has paw paws available….but you can link up with him on +263 77 269 8790.

If you bump into Paw Paws in Harare then chances high they are Shamva Rural Certified, or came from some of his mentees. Some of his paw paws transported to as far as Victoria Falls. Some of his mentees in Honde Valley exporting to Mozambique.

ZBIN Legends.

When Cecil John Rhodes trekked North from South Africa—He had one mission—Gold. Nothing but Gold.

Impressed by the massive gold deposits in Witwatersrand—intelligence reports had indicated that there was a second Witwatersrand in Zimbabwe. South Africa already had loads of land for farming—so no big incentive for

So a team of gold hunters crossed Limpopo and ending up in Zimbabwe. However much to their disappointment—gold existed, but in the same quantities as initially promised.

Recovery: How to recoup investment costs?

They turned to land. Develop land—turn to farming and infrastructure development alongside mining. (From the book; The Rhodesian Economy)

And this, ladies and gentlemen—is how land became a a very valuable asset. More valuable than other regions across the continent.

Massive investment in land in land and in addition—control over land values are maintained. Policies and control over availability and this has continued for centuries. Add the Economy, Inflation, Mortgages availability, and investment climate.When Cecil John Rhodes trekked North from South Africa—He had one mission—Gold. Nothing but Gold.

Impressed by the massive gold deposits in Witwatersrand—intelligence reports had indicated that there was a second Witwatersrand in Zimbabwe. South Africa already had loads of land for farming—so no big incentive for

So a team of gold hunters crossed Limpopo and ending up in Zimbabwe. However much to their disappointment—gold existed, but in the same quantities as initially promised.

Recovery: How to recoup investment costs?

They turned to land. Develop land—turn to farming and infrastructure development alongside mining. (From the book; The Rhodesian Economy)

And this, ladies and gentlemen—is how land became a a very valuable asset. More valuable than other regions across the continent.

Massive investment in land in land and in addition—control over land values are maintained. Policies and control over availability and this has continued for centuries. Add the Economy, Inflation, Mortgages availability, and investment climate.

On Part 1 we appreciated the evolution of data to present form—and predicting the future.

We may need a recap. We started with types of data (written , audio and visuals) and the tools or earlier machinery in use—such as printing presses and typewriters for written data.

We did not cover  telecommunication (Radios, Televisions, and Satellite TVs). But there was evolution going alongside data evolution.

MaTools Edu: Printing presses, Typewriters, Radio and Television.

Shanduko Yekutanga(1): Computers, Advanced Printing Presses, Online Radios, and thers

Shanduko Yechipiri (2): Internet yakashandura Data transmission, Data creation, Data Storage, Data Editing. Internet ikaunza E-commerce nezvimwewo zvakawanda.

Shanduko Yechitatu (3): Smartphone accelerated Data collection. Makomo nemakomo e data akazara with billions of citizens creating content and Social Media helped in the revolution.

Shanduko Yechina (4): Toitei nemakomo makomo e data rauya iri? Nezuro takati I duri. Duri ririkufashukira ne data, rimwe richingoramba richiuya kasingapere.

Ma Problems aivepo

Intellectual Property Rights: Google inova iyo yakazarisa kukunda vamwe vese—kwakatanga kuita maproblems ekuti vene vedata vainge voti tinodamuripo. Haungashandise maphotoangu, haungashandise data rangu.

Kugadzira: Hawaikwanisa kugadzira ako maphoto, kugadzira music, kugadzira mafilms nezvakawanda. Hongu waigona kuenda kunaana Canva, nemamwewo ma websites.

Kutuma: Hawaikwanisa kutuma Google kuti pindura ma clients, vabatsire zvinovashupa. Kudata—hawaikwanisa zvirinyore kuti ndipe summary yenyaya iyi. Therefore Kutumika kuti ikushandire raive dambudziko gurusa.

Kuuya kwe Artificial Intelligence

Yakauya kuzogadzirisa maproblems ese aripamusoro apa—Hatina kuadoma ese nekuti mazhinji.  Kana kwaane ma Agents anotumika uye achiita mabasa nekukurumidza. Uyezve achikwanisa kuzvifungira hupenyu hunotirerukira.

Saka ndeapi maproblems achafanirwa kugadzirwa atichiinawo?

Ruzivo: Hongu zvidzidzo zviriko. Hongu munhu wese oziva kuti kune AI. Asi ruzivo rwuchirwudukusa. Asi ichasvika nguva yekuti munhu wese anenge avemo.

Vashomanene: Varikushandisa vachivashoma. Vane hunyanzi vagova vashoma zvekare.

Infrastructure: Infrastructure ichiri diki—asi investment irikuzara chaizvo fanike nyika dzekumavirira.

Resistance to Change: Kubva kuma type writer kuenda kuma computer yakatova hondo tsvuku. Kubva kuma landline phones kugamuchira macellphones hazvina kuva nyore.

Conclusion

Liberalization: Data raiva ne a selected few vaiita capture, create, use and share. Internet ne smartphones yakaunza billions through Social Media kuti tiite murambamhuru pakuzadza dura redata.

Kutumika: Data ravekufanira kutishandira using AI Tools. Chichatanga kutumika as first stage(Hatisati parizvino tave ne perfect efficiency asi tichasvika)—Second stage kuzvifungira roita rega. Parizvino tichavanemakore vanhu vachituma macomputers. Asimberikwazvo macomputers ngaazvifungire opedza basa. Gadzira album re Sungura—wogadzirazve nema videos. Wotengesa wondipa mari.

Part 3 ndiyo ichave final—tichatarisa maopportunities kubva kuma type writers kusvika AI Revolution.

Tinotenda nekuverenga kwenyu.

Don’t miss the Digital Marketing Lessons we will be offering in June 2026

We have decided to simplify Artificial Intelligence by writing in a mix of local languages and English. A lot of material on AI doesnt cover the historical perspective which is relatable to locals. So this article helps appreciate the bigger picture of AI. Where it came from and where it is going.

Forms of Communication

1. Oral
2. Written
3. Visual

Idzi ndomhando dze communication ka idzi kubvira makare kare. Kutaura—Cave Paintings (zvinyorwa)  uye kuwonana (Visual).

Typewriter Age: Ngatiitei fast track to the 80s and 90s uko tinowona ma type writers uye ma printing press emabhuku nema newspapers.

Ndeapi ma Weaknesses aivepo pa type writers?

1. Size: Paiunganidzwa munda wema pages –makomo nemakomo
2. Sharability: Waizoda Telegram kuti utumire kure nekuti ma typewriters aive mastand alone.
3. Portability: Hawaikwanisa kufamba ne typewriter
4. Audios & Visuals: Hawaikwanisa kuisa kubudisa kana kuisa ma audios or visuals mumapepa kana mabhuku agadzirwa
5. Ruzivo: Kwaingove ne vashomanene vakadzidziswa type writing or kushandisa maprinting press
6. Business Use: Vashomanene vaikwanisa kutenga typewriter yekunoshandisa kumba kutyper zvaunoda. Ma type writer aive epamabasa.
7. Data Manipulation & Editing: Watyper zvainge zvavharana. Kuda kuzoisa magraph, ma formulas hazvaibuda pa typed papers.

Computer Age: Ma computer kwakuuya kuzogadzirisa ma problems aripamusoro apo. Asi haaikwanisa kuagadzirisa ese nezuva rimwechete.

Hardwares and Softwares kwaakuuya:  Target market yekutanga ari ma governments and companies. Ma floppy disks—nemamwe maprinters achiuya. But painge paine dambudziko re CONNECTION. Company iriku Bulawayo neimwe ku Mutare zvobatanidzwa sei? Chekutanga kwaive kutumira ma disc nebhazi.

Internet Age: Hooyoo mubatanidzwa wema computers—Tava nema emails—tave nema websites. Ma computer avekutaurirana. Target Markets: Initially business, then next maconsumers …ma personals ndivo vakabva vawanda. Pastorage pakabva pauyawo Block Chain.

Smart Phones Age: Mobility yatambotaura kuti matypewriter hwaive hwungwanda ngwanda husingatakurike. Computer Age yakaunzazve ma laptops—but still it was a half done job. Smart Phones were the real deal.Kuisa muhomwe—kufamba nayo mumota, mundege etc

Smart Phones & Social Media: Vanhu vanofarira (Kutaura, Kunyora+ Kuwona (live visuals) Mukana uyu wakauya. No more mazibepa to file (storage), connection iripo zvekare to many online people.

Ruzhinji rwevanhu vakabva vazara kumasmart phones kupfuura nguva yema typewriters and personal computers. Maphones kuvanhu—tinowona ma companies achiita mashoma—asi vanhu vari mavhu nemarara. Maiwona change in strategy ka apa?

Artificial Intelligence Age: DURA

Ngatitaurei pamusoro pe Dura. Kubva kuna 2000-2026: Data rawaisa pa computer rakawanda sei? Ku college uchinyora ma thesis, kubasa, paphone, pa Social Media. Maphotos, ma videos, machats. Facebook, PaTwitter, Whatsapp, Youtube nemamwe maplatforms. Saka data rese waiisa unoti raiendepi? Data reseriripa Google—rongoraswa? Wainge uchiisa mudura.

Ukuwo innovations in saving data such as clouds.

Artificial Intelligence Age: Dzoka Mushure Tichienda Mberi

Woti ndikutemwa nemusoro mapiritsi andigade ndeapi? AI inokuvhunzisisa kuti wakatanga riinhi, nemimwe mivhunzo—yozokupa mhinduro. Mhinduro yaiwanepi? Dura, Dura,Dura

Woti gadzira musambo we reggae pa Sumo—yotogadzira. Yazviwana kupi? Dura, Dura, Dura

But Dura iri rine malimitations. Takuda zvinotumika—Taakuda ACTION. Uye taakuda HUPOROFITA—gore rinouya zvichange zvavapapi panyaya yekunaya?

Post yedu yazodzoka yakurisa—ruregerero kwamuri. Last paragraph iyo inoda kudzokorodzwa.

Murare zvakanaka.

Hi everyone, makadii. My name is Nyaradzo Winini, founder and Managing Director of Review.co.zw and Originly Heritage Foundation [pronounced Originally ], but today my presentation will focus on Review.co.zw.

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Childhood Experience

I started buying brands from a very young age. (No, not Gucci and Louis Vuitton ). I am talking about Enbee, Bata Toughees, Edgar’s, and Barbours. These were brands that stood out because of their quality and excellence. I think it is safe to say that almost every street in Zimbabwe had a childhood story connected to Bata Toughees, or at least knew about them. That is the power of market confidence. When people trust a brand so much, they do not always need to experience it for themselves first. They trust what they have heard, the experiences shared by others, and the reputation that has already been built.

**********

*Employment Experience*

I was also fortunate enough to work with well-known employers, and I noticed something interesting. Every time I made a sales call and mentioned my employer’s name, conversations became easier. People were more open and often more willing to buy.

Not because they knew me personally, but because they trusted what they had already heard. They trusted the brand before they trusted the product.

*******

Later, when I moved into the care industry and eventually became a care manager in the UK, I noticed something similar.

People across all age groups remained loyal to certain brands for years.

Now, we are not talking about shoes or bags that you buy once in a while. We are talking about everyday choices such as groceries, pharmacies, hospitals, and services that people rely on regularly.

People remained loyal to certain brands, sometimes even paying more than the alternatives because of the quality and service they had experienced. That made me realise something important. *Trust does not only influence what people buy*. It influences where people go, who they choose, and who they remain loyal to.

*****

Personal Buying Behaviour

From there, I began looking at my own buying behaviour. On platforms like Amazon, even when I really like a product and need it, I still click on the reviews first to see what other people are saying. I can safely say that I have made many purchasing decisions based on opinions, experiences, and even pictures shared by complete strangers.

That made me realise something else. We trust people we have never met because we trust shared experiences.

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The Zimbabwe Question

The next question I began asking myself was, in Zimbabwe, where are we finding these shared experiences?

A lot of our recommendations and referrals come from our small circles. Family, friends, church groups, colleagues, and WhatsApp groups.

If someone in my circle knows your business, there is a good chance I will trust it. *If nobody in my circle knows your business, many times the conversation ends there.*

One of the reasons scams continue to happen is because people sometimes make decisions without enough information to support trust.

The salesperson may paint a very convincing picture, but *there is no independent customer voice and no wider community experience to confirm what is being said.* We end up just risking it.

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Reflection Pause

I believe I am speaking to business owners today, so I would like to pose a question to you.

Where are you collecting your customer feedback?

Think about the last three customers you served or supplied who were genuinely happy with your product or service. After they told you they were happy, how many other people actually saw that feedback?

Or did you simply say, “Thank you,” smile, and move on with your life?

Because if positive experiences remain with individual customers, businesses may be missing opportunities they have already earned.

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The Solution

My team and I built a very simple way for businesses to collect reviews. For every company that signs up, the platform generates *a customised review link* that can be shared directly with customers.

With a single click, customers can leave a review and share their experience.

Each company also receives *a unique QR code* that customers can scan to access the review page instantly.

This creates additional opportunities for businesses to collect reviews as you can add your QR code to packaging, receipts, in-store displays, and deliveries.

Instead of customer experiences remaining in private chats, disappearing after phone calls, or staying within small circles, businesses can collect and showcase reviews on a platform with global reach.

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Safeguards

Now, I understand that as business owners, one of the first questions that may come to mind is around safeguards and reputation protection.

How do we encourage honest customer feedback while also reducing the risk of unfair or damaging content?

These are the safeguards we have in place. Our goal is to protect the integrity of customer feedback while ensuring that businesses are treated fairly.

While these safeguards are in place, we also have a review disputes process. If anything has been missed, businesses have the opportunity to raise it for review.

*Our mission is to create a trusted environment where genuine customer experiences help both businesses and consumers make informed decisions.*

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The Review.co.zw Advantage

1. *Cost-effective reputation management*

Review.co.zw provides businesses with a cost-effective way to manage their public reputation instead of finding out after the fact that they have been mentioned somewhere, tagged in a discussion, or shared in a name-and-shame group.

2. Local understanding of the Zimbabwean market

The biggest difference between us and other review platforms is that we understand the Zimbabwean business landscape because we are part of it.

3. Hands-on local support

When businesses sign up to the platform, we do not simply collect their details and leave them to figure things out on their own. We work with businesses through each stage of their review journey.

4. Customised review collection strategies

We understand that businesses, products, and services are different. We work with businesses to find a strategy that suits them, whether that involves WhatsApp review links, QR cards in deliveries, or other approaches that fit naturally into their customer journey.

5. Building trust, not simply collecting reviews

We are not simply helping businesses collect reviews. We are helping businesses build visible trust and strengthen relationships with their customers.

****”

Partner With Us

The standard subscription cost for Review.co.zw is $30 per year and includes up to 50 customer reviews.

We are offering a one-month free trial with no upfront commitment.

If your business reaches at least 10 customer reviews during the trial period, you will receive *one year of free access on the platform. Your customers are already talking. Let us help you make those voices visible

ZBIN is a diaspora friendly business forum with 60% of our board members in diaspora. Our most active chapters are in SA and USA (Seafarers). Some of our content on this site done to help you appreciate what is on the ground. And the good news is most of our Crowdfunding Projects have solid participation of diasporas.

So special mention to some of our diasporas who have been very active on the forum helping in its growth over the past 12 years

1) Tafadzwa Hambazy (SA)
2) Mr Bond (SA)
3) Pastor Mupoperi(USA)
4) Otilia Manyani(New Zealand)
4) Leah Mugari(UK)
5) Sherz Zhonge(USA)
6)Madam Vee(SA)
7) Ashie Mashungu(SA)

8) Dr Zacharia Munakamwe(Australia)
9) Neera Signh(SA)
10) Blessing Dzira(UK)
11) Fitzgerald Mapila(SA)
12) Walter Kasirori(Malaysia)
13) Calvin Chikoto(UK)
14) Providence Shoko(UK)
15) Pretty Ndlovu(USA)
16) Sharon Khonje(USA)
17) Antony Masocha(SA)
18) Treby Munya(SA)
19) Dudley Chidziva(Moz)
20) Charles Chakwizira(SA)

ZBIN has a vibrant Youths Forum where young entrepreneurs network and do business amongst themselves. And we would like to acknowledge the impact of the following youths in 2025.

1.Damson Royel
2.Decent Shuro
3.Trymore Nzou
4.Lisa Chirubvu
5.Cynthia Gezi James
6.Rudo Mahachi
7.Counsel Cocoe
8.Brian Chomusora
9.Diego Chikombeko
10.Yvonne Mudapakati
11.Silas Chidlamakonho
12.Caren Nziramasanga
13.Grace Nyakabau
14. Hazel Gamu Chakatsva
15.Brighton Mashura
16.Trish Gibson
17.Dorothy Chamunorwa
18.Charla Chinzou
19.Dickson Rongwe
20.Brian Muchenagumbo

The last time we looked at the top risks in the world was in 2012 where unemployment was ranked as the top risk across the globe. And our analysis unleashed a forum concept called Business 2 Entrepreneur (B2E). If you structured your business model to cater for entrepreneurship needs—then the sustainability of your business was guaranteed. We cited Innscor, Delta, Varun, The Chinese, Shipping and Logistics (Runners), Mukuru, Ecocash, Irvines Chickens and more.

And Delta has just entered the billion dollar revenue threshold in recent times. The B2E model should be part of finance studies for those interested in appreciating local conditions.

Anyway we look at the latest report from WEF and what are we picking?

Geo-economic Conditions already playing out in South Africa and likely to impact the rest of SADC and the continent at large. And this will trigger more social complications across the region.

Is the region ready for possible (if not imminent) voluntary and involuntary migration? Extreme weather conditions and pollution also listed and closely interlinked too.

And the present challenges not going away but carried over into long term with 50% of future risks aligned to environmental conditions.

Will Kariba Dam still hold sufficient water for Hydropower by 2036? The adverse impact of AI to exacerbate environmental conditions.  

So what opportunities do you see from this?

• Invest in Green Energy—ordinarily no need to repeat this as its now common knowledge. However we repeat for emphasis. Build your brands and be at the top in Green Energy. This includes adopting new technology as part of your long term strategy. Benchmark your performances to the best across the globe.
• Invest in land—This is already happening in Zimbabwe with cluster homes, Sabhuku deals, Econet strategic positioning through Infraco. The rise of REITs in Zimbabwe. Just get land or invest in real estate disruptions.
• Invest in AI—Interestingly Artificial Intelligence impacts every facet of life creating new opportunities and risks. But highlight AI into Green Energy, Land and Society.

The disruptions to impact business opportunities and we are already in transition. By 2036 crypto currencies could be dominating, and most of what is coming can be gleaned from developed economies. What is however surprising is the mention of Health. Is it because most of the analysts come from financial backgrounds? Only time will tell.

One of the best ways to learn is by listening to Zbinites on Premium Chats. And last Friday we had Mai Saungweme sharing her journey from 3 students in 2016 to +200 in 2026.

Good evening. I am happy to be presenting tonight and thank you ZBIN family. I am an author on parenting related Guides from navigating parenting teenagers through well written e-books that are life transforming full of experience based topics and topics formulated to help families find solutions to different parenting issues. I enjoy tech based activities as i was a science club coordinator at Msengezi high school way back in 2000 at form 3 attending and organising science based fairs with colleagues in Chegutu district. I enjoy working and I have no time to kill always looking for ways to bring positive changes in people’s lives lifting up Christ living a God fearing life. I am proud I mean very proud to be An Adventist because I have benefited a lot from keeping the sabbath and I claim Sabbath blessings in my life.

Educator | Parenting Coach | AI Enthusiast | Entrepreneur | Women Empowerment Advocate.I started my secondary school education at Msengezi High School as Letwin Murambiwa. Happily married and blessed with four children.

Education & Leadership

Co-founded Northridge Junior School in 2016. The school now proudly has 200+ learners. Founder of Fundiland O-Level Women Online School. Empowering women through accessible online education. Qualified Combined Science & Chemistry Teacher.

Parenting Mission

Passionate and powerful Parenting Coach with children at heart. Regularly share parenting wisdom on my Facebook page to help parents raise: Responsible children. Smart & courageous children, Confident children, God-fearing children, Financially literate children.

AI & Financial Literacy Vision, I am highly advanced in: AI tools, AI automations, AI video creation Digital innovation. By 2027, I will be running a highly successful AI Automation & Training Agency in Africa dedicated to transforming businesses and empowering people through technology.

Business & Cosmetics Background

Founder of Blackroots Hair Products Brand since 2015, Specialising in hair growth and beauty products. Currently helping women through: Parenting coaching, AI education and Financial literacy empowerment.

How we started the school

So I had studied Chemical Eng at Harare Poly hoping to venture in the Chemical manufacturing sector or Mining sector but I could not back then as I had no connections and guidance so I ended up loaded with Mathematics, General science, Chemistry and Physics to share with students in my local area . They would pass and scream coming to my house when results came to say thank you for your help takapasa. And it gave me priceless joy. Then I started teaching at local colleges mmm I won’t disclose the salaries yaisatouya still or yaiuya in painful bits and pieces it  was painful.

However after I got married in 2012 I realised my friend  had no Olevel passes  and encouraged her to do Science and Maths and another church mate also gave me her daughter to help teach Science and Maths. God saw us through recording high passes and word soon spread that I had helped them to pass.

 The Turning Point

All my students were saying I explain zvavanonzwisisa so. All those women who passed or had their children pass Maths and science started telling me and my husband please people open a school. It was a wake up call and we started working on it . We opened in 2019 but had to start iri a primary school kuitira logistics and zvaitirerukira employing primary school teachers.

Takafamba asi handina kuzoregera kuitisa my secondary students online now uku working at Northridge as well and by the way yes it takes hard work to balance both .kutoita some nights of grinding ndoda nezve Ai ukuwo ndiri kuita content now ye parenting i work at night network isinganetse tichitobalancisa zvese Mwari ari mubatsiri wangu. So Fundiland Olevel Online school for women is now running smoothly though challenges ekuti ukatanga wa acceptor students vasati vaita payment you end up working for mahara.

Connect with her on Calls/WhatsApp: 0771 125 984

The entrepreneurship landscape in Zimbabwe is scattered. This makes it difficult to access information. However ZBIN has a well developed infrastructure allowing us easy access to researches, surveys and experiences from our members. We share below our latest newsletter publication.

May-15-2026-ZBIN-Newsletter