On October 27, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with approximately 60 Zimbabwean students in Moscow, urging them to return home after completing their education and use their skills to support the country's development. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Third Russia–Africa Summit, which brought African leaders and Russian officials together in Moscow to discuss cooperation. Mnangagwa emphasized that their studies are an investment in Zimbabwe's future.
During the meeting, Mnangagwa challenged the students to consider how their knowledge could help address challenges facing Zimbabwe, including infrastructure and energy. Some students raised questions about applying scientific knowledge and technical expertise acquired in Russia to Zimbabwe's needs. The students discussed issues affecting national development, showcasing their understanding of Zimbabwe's challenges.
Mnangagwa told the students that their decision to pursue higher education in Russia is not only a personal undertaking but also a contribution to their country's future. He said their studies are a national investment, and they should consider the practical value of their education, including developing technologies, establishing businesses, and strengthening institutions.
The message reflects Zimbabwe's wider effort to connect overseas education with its Vision 2030 development ambitions, which seek to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira also addressed the government's development strategy during the engagement, highlighting the importance of building national capabilities and promoting inclusive development.
Murwira referred to Section 35 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which recognizes the responsibility of the state to protect the interests and welfare of Zimbabwean citizens living outside the country. The government has presented its engagement with students abroad as part of its broader relationship with the Zimbabwean diaspora, whose knowledge and experience it hopes to connect with national development priorities.
Zimbabwe has students enrolled at universities in several countries through educational cooperation arrangements, including a presidential scholarship programme. During the Moscow engagement, Mnangagwa was told about the experiences of students pursuing different fields of study, while some shared how the opportunity to study abroad had changed their lives.
The challenge, however, extends beyond encouraging students to return. Turning international education into national development also requires opportunities for graduates to apply their skills, access to research and investment, and institutions capable of supporting innovation and new enterprises. For Zimbabwe, the value of sending students abroad will ultimately depend on whether the country can create conditions in which their expertise can contribute to its economy.
Key points
- Mnangagwa urges Zimbabwean students in Russia to return home and use their skills to support the country's development.
- The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow.
- Zimbabwe's government aims to connect overseas education with its Vision 2030 development ambitions.
