Elections should be over within the next 3 months and we pray that they will be peaceful, free and fair so that the real work of rebuilding Zimbabwe can begin in earnest. The country has a lot of potential and the positive tone set by the new dispensation is likely to continue and attract more investment. Whoever wins the next elections is likely to put business first. We do not see anyone coming to reverse the Zimbabwe is open for business policy. So interesting times where the rebuilding of the country will be centred on business.

Looking at investment options for the diaspora community, lets assess feasibility of investment options.

1. Farming: Can you just come and get a farm and start farming? Its not feasible so try the business of supplying farming equipment such as solar irrigation equipment, tractors and trailers.
2. Mining: Can you just come to Zimbabwe and get an unused mine and commence mining activities? It is not feasible-all mineral rich mines are taken. Consider partnering with other miners especially on minerals such as chrome and gold. A lot of supplies needed in terms of mining equipment.
3. Education: Straight from the airport, can you just open a private school in Zimbabwe? Yes you sure can especially in new residential suburbs. So do track new areas being built where schools or colleges do not exist.
4. Real Estate: This is where all the money is! Why did Splash Paints invest $3.5 million in a new plant? Why is Dangote interested in investing in Zimbabwe? Why do we have new hardware shops being opened? Why is Harare getting a hardware warehouse? Why is there sudden activity of investors doing environmental assessments? The Indian community in Zimbabwe has strategically positioned itself so that they can benefit from the construction business. They know that construction has ground to a halt but after elections there will be a scramble for opportunities in the sector.

Diaspora and Real Estate Sector

Get organised, pool resources-form companies and invest in land for residential and commercial purposes. Already one of the leading real estate companies-Way Mark is busy finishing servicing residential stands in town. They are likely to put them on the market as soon as election issues are sorted. So get residential and commercial stands -invest in hardwares, register construction companies etc

Our forum has also organised members so as to create a one stop construction company-do watch out for its activities in the coming months.

The best way to empower an entrepreneur is to let them have access to markets. A person with access to markets is more empowered than one with access to finance! Marketing comes first and finance follows. A market is where all the business is, money does not necessarily mean business.

A college student finishing college should have skills on how to obtain a market and benefit from it-this is the ultimate empowerment. Once you secure a market then you have many options on securing capital such as bank loans, salary advances, crowdfunding, invoice discounting or partnerships. Digital marketing is therefore a must for every business owner as it helps to unlock opportunities in an efficient and effective manner. Our forum has done highly successful regional digital marketing campaigns that has resulted in Zimbabwean designed programs going viral across the region.

We have had over subscribed training events in South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana and Zambia and created valuable contacts and distribution channels. Our global thinking approaches have enabled us not to worry about current cash crisis in the country as Durbanites, East Londoners or the BaSotho have different economic environments to Zimbabwe.

Our carpet making course included Digital Marketing as an empowerment tool which helped thousands of entrepreneurs to successfully market their products across the region. Our training is therefore hands on and include the following:

1. Online opportunities in Southern Africa.
2. How to design a successful regional digital marketing strategy
3. How to create online content incorporating the experience economy and graphic designing
4. Search Engine Optimisation [SEO]: How to benefit from having your online content being on top of search engines
5.  Big Data and Google Analytics use for small business owners
6. How to effectively use your website to create value for your business
7.  Effective use of tools such as Facebook Boosting to reach out to millions of clients at little to no cost
8. E-commerce including how to open your own online shop

This is a hands on training and you should be able to produce content that helps you market your products or services across the borders. Being business centred, the training introduces you to Big Data and the simple to use tools business owners can tap into in tracking who their clients are, where they are based and how to tap into their online buying behaviour.

Target Audience

Small business owners | Lawyers | Medical Practitioners | NGOs and Consultants

The training costs $40 and will be held over 2 weekends at our offices located at No 34 Quendon Road Monavale in Harare. Our contact number is +263339454 and +263774081808. There is a bonus of a Digital Marketing Book plus Business Opportunities for Zimbabweans Book.