Press Release: Diaspora Investor Training and SME Matchmaking Pilot Programme for Germany with GIZ

This initiative helps diaspora professionals in Germany move from remitters to active angel investors across eight partner countries.

Effective September 2026, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbHz(GIZ) global programme “Shaping development-oriented migration”(MEG) is launching a Diaspora Investor Training and SME Matchmaking Programme with Zidicircle as the Implementor. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ,  the pilot aligns with MEG’sBusiness Ideas for Development (BID) initiative to channel diaspora potential toward sustainable economic development.

Bridging the Financing Gap Through Diaspora Capital

Access to early-stage growth capital remains one of the most persistent challenges for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. Entrepreneurs often rely on self-financing due to high interest rates, short maturities, and strict collateral requirements from formal financial institutions. 

At the same time, millions of diaspora professionals in Germany retain strong economic and personal ties to their countries of origin. Their capital has historically flowed into remittances and low-liquidity assets like real estate leaving a gap in structured capital for high-growth local enterprises. They often lack structured investment knowledge, cross-border legal understanding, and risk-mitigating channels to participate in financing SME’s.

This pilot programme aims to close that gap by equipping diaspora members to become active, impact-driven angel investors by building financial investing capacities among diaspora members in Germany and establishing structured connections with investment-ready SMEs.

Three Pillars of the Programme

The training  draws on Zidicircle’s diaspora investment framework across three pillars:

Capacity building.

A six-week learning programme, delivered through Zidicircle’s e-learning platform and live expert workshops, covering The basics of SME Investing, Evaluation of  business models, financials  and valuation, Cross border investments considerations and Legal aspects and the deal-making process.

De-risked investment matchmaking

Trained investors are connected with pre-vetted, investment-ready SMEs. Matchmaking initially prioritizes high-impact enterprises in collaboration with existing SME programmes.

Pooled investment facilitation.

To overcome minimum investment size barriers and spread risk, participants gain access to the Zidicircle Diaspora Investment Co-op- a special purpose vehicle that lets members pool smaller investments into unified venture deals.

Investor training session with Diaspora participants-Morocco Cohort. © Zidicircle.

Target Cohort and Partner Countries

The programme targets diaspora members based in Germany, drawn from eight partner countries: Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Serbia, Tunisia and Vietnam.

Leadership Perspectives

“Our ‘Learn, Connect & Invest’ framework was built to democratize venture investing and turn diaspora professionals into catalyst investors for their home countries. Partnering with GIZ under the MEG programme gives diaspora members in Germany the knowledge, risk-mitigating structures, and deal access to move from passive remitters to active impact investors.” — Fridah Ntarangwi, Managing Director, Zidicircle

“For many years, MEG and its predecessor programmes have supported the voluntary engagement and entrepreneurial initiatives of diaspora communities in their countries of origin. Now we take this commitment one step further by offering dedicated training for diaspora investors—helping them turn their expertise, networks, and capital into sustainable development impact.” ” — Florian Krins, Component Manager, “Shaping development-oriented migration” (MEG), GIZ

Operational Timeline

The programme runs from September 2026 through February 2027. Recruitment and information webinars begin immediately followed by participant onboarding in October 2026. Training will be delivered in November to December 2026 and SME Matching  will be hosted in January to February 2027.

Read more about the Investor training call for applications on this Link

About Zidicircle

Zidicircle specializes in mobilizing diaspora investments into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) via the learning platform Zidicircle School and the Collective Investment Vehicle ZidiCircle Co-op. Over the years Zidicircle has developed into a fully fledged global diaspora Channel that catalyzes diaspora participation in both host and home countries through entrepreneurship and investments.

With its three pillars, learn, connect  and invest, Zidi engages the diaspora with tailormade investor training, workshops and SME matching  activities through Zidicircle Co-op investment structure to give them the required skills and structure  needed to participate in SME  investing.  

Website: https://zidicircle.com

About GIZ

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a German federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Federal Government and many other public and private clients in achieving their goals in international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work.

GIZ´s global programme “Shaping development-oriented migration” (MEG), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), empowers migrants and diaspora communities to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to development, both in their countries of origin and destination.

Website: https://www.diaspora2030.de

Media & Application Inquiries

GIZ / MEG Contact l: diaspora2030@giz.de 

Zidicircle Contact Email: communications@zidicircle.com