HARARE, Aug 10 – Zimbabwe received $2.45 billion in remittances from citizens living abroad in 2025, with the United Kingdom overtaking South Africa as the country’s largest source of diaspora inflows.
The figures underscore the growing role of Zimbabweans abroad in supporting the domestic economy, with remittances helping households meet expenses including education, healthcare, property purchases and small-business investment.
The United Kingdom accounted for approximately $709.6 million of Zimbabwe’s remittance inflows in 2025, narrowly ahead of South Africa’s $702.6 million, according to central-bank figures reported by Bloomberg. The United States, Australia and other countries made up the remainder of the total.
The shift places the UK ahead of South Africa for the first time in the figures presented, although the relatively small difference between the two markets highlights the continued importance of Zimbabwe’s southern neighbour as a destination for Zimbabwean workers and families.
According to Business Insider Africa, the latest data came into focus as Zimbabwe Diaspora Week concluded on August 9, bringing together Zimbabweans from major overseas communities including the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and South Africa.
Remittances have become an important source of foreign currency for Zimbabwe as the country continues to face financing constraints and significant external debt obligations. The inflows provide households and businesses with access to foreign currency while supporting spending on essential services and productive activities.
Earlier figures showed that Zimbabwe received about $880 million in formal remittances during the first five months of 2025. The full-year figure indicates a substantial increase in inflows as Zimbabweans abroad continued sending money to families and other recipients at home.
Remittances are estimated to account for more than 8% of Zimbabwe’s economy and rank among the country’s most important sources of foreign currency. They also support economic activity beyond household consumption by helping fund small businesses, property purchases and cross-border trade.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recorded an increase of roughly 14% in formal remittance inflows during 2025. However, estimates can vary depending on methodology. Broader estimates from the African Development Bank put the value of Zimbabwe’s remittance flows at a higher level, reflecting differences in how formal and other transfers are captured.
The growing importance of diaspora money also presents a policy challenge for Zimbabwe. While formal remittance channels increase foreign-currency liquidity and improve the visibility of financial flows, high transfer costs, exchange-rate disparities and concerns over financial institutions can encourage recipients to use informal channels.
For policymakers, reducing the cost of sending money and improving confidence in formal financial services could help channel a larger share of diaspora income through regulated systems. That could strengthen foreign-currency availability while improving the ability of authorities to measure and support one of Zimbabwe’s most important external sources of income.
