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Rising to the occasion: Diaspora remittances to Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic

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  • Mbiba, Beacon
  • Mupfumira, Daisy

Abstract

By early 2021, The World Bank was indicating that the massive COVID-19 induced declines in remittance flows it had predicted in the previous year had not materialised; actual declines were smaller and shorter term than expected. In some cases like that for Zimbabwe, there were significant increases. It argued that coronavirus pandemic lock down policies led to a shift from use of informal to formal recorded money transfer channels. However, given the diversity of contexts in source and receiving countries, there is need for continued localised investigations to understand the nature and development policy implications of these flows. Focusing on remittances sent by Zimbabweans settled in the UK (diaspora) during COVID-19 pandemic year, this paper draws on survey data to explore increases in the remittance flows, nature of, motivations for and purposes of remittances. Crucially it examines how the diaspora managed to increase the remittances when they were under immense financial pressure themselves. It confirms and contributes to understanding of the countercyclical nature of remittance flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Mbiba, Beacon & Mupfumira, Daisy, 2022. "Rising to the occasion: Diaspora remittances to Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wodepe:v:27:y:2022:i:c:s2452292922000601
    DOI: 10.1016/j.wdp.2022.100452
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Beacon Mbiba, 2022. "The mystery of recurrent housing demolitions in urban Zimbabwe," International Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(4), pages 320-335, October.
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    3. Shi, Ying & Hartley, Daniel & Mazumder, Bhash & Rajan, Aastha, 2022. "The effects of the Great Migration on urban renewal," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
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    6. World Bank, 2011. "Migration and Remittances Factbook 2011 : Second Edition," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2522, December.
    7. Simone Bertoli & Frédéric Docquier & Hillel Rapoport & Ilse Ruyssen, 2021. "Extreme weather events and migration intentions [Evènements météorologiques extrêmes et intentions de migrer]," Post-Print hal-03469991, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Waliu O. Shittu & Gazi M. Hassan & Frank G. Scrimgeour, 2023. "COVID-19 and the Role of Remittances on Sustainable Development: Insights from Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers in Economics 23/05, University of Waikato.

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