Diaspora Engagement By African Presidents.
By Beyonddennis
The African diaspora, a vast and dynamic population residing outside the continent, is increasingly recognized as a vital force for Africa's development and progress. African presidents and governments have, over recent decades, intensified efforts to engage this influential group, moving beyond mere recognition to strategic partnerships aimed at harnessing their diverse contributions. This article, a research by Beyonddennis, delves into the multifaceted aspects of this engagement, examining its rationale, strategies, challenges, and successes.
The African Union defines the African Diaspora as "peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and building of the African Union." This broad definition underscores the potential inherent in this global community, which numbers in the millions. The African Union formally recognized the diaspora as the "sixth region" of Africa in 2003, emphasizing its crucial role in the continent's development aspirations.
The Rationale for Engagement: A Multifaceted Imperative
The push for enhanced diaspora engagement by African presidents stems from several compelling factors:
Economic Contributions: Remittances constitute perhaps the most direct and substantial economic contribution of the diaspora. In 2020, remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa reached an estimated $44 billion, and in 2021, the figure was $95 billion, benefiting over 200 million families. These funds are a lifeline for many households, supporting education, healthcare, and local enterprises. For instance, remittances are estimated to contribute 6% of Nigeria's GDP. Beyond remittances, diaspora members are increasingly engaged in direct investments, particularly in sectors like real estate, agriculture, and technology, fostering job creation and innovation. They also play a role in connecting foreign investors with African markets. The Gambia, for example, sees remittances comprising nearly 30% of its GDP.
Human Capital and Skill Transfer: The diaspora represents a vast pool of highly skilled professionals and experts. Many African governments are actively seeking to leverage this expertise through initiatives that encourage temporary returns, knowledge transfer programs, and mentorship. This approach helps to transform the narrative from "brain drain" to "brain circulation," where knowledge and skills are transferred regardless of the diaspora's location. Morocco, for instance, has successfully targeted scientists abroad for its renewable energy sector, bringing them back with competitive compensation. Other countries like Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana also engage in knowledge transfer, particularly in fields like medicine.
Political Influence and Advocacy: The African diaspora wields significant political influence in their host countries, advocating for policies that support development and positive relations with African nations. Historically, diaspora communities have been at the forefront of struggles for civil rights and decolonization, including the Pan-Africanism movement. Their collective voice can shape foreign policy, promote good governance, and advance social justice initiatives in Africa. Some countries, like Cape Verde and Senegal, have even extended voting rights and parliamentary representation to their diaspora citizens.
Social and Cultural Ties: The diaspora serves as a vital bridge for cultural exchange, preserving and promoting African heritage globally through events, festivals, and the influence on arts, music, and cuisine. This cultural diplomacy not only enriches host countries but also strengthens identity and pride among diaspora communities.
Strategies and Mechanisms of Engagement
African presidents and governments employ a range of strategies to foster deeper engagement with their diasporas:
Institutional Frameworks: A growing number of African countries have established dedicated institutions, ministries, or agencies to manage diaspora affairs. For instance, the African Union's Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO) is responsible for implementing the AU's vision of a people-oriented organization through partnerships with governments, civil society, and diasporas. Of 44 African countries mapped, 23 have specific diaspora policies or are drafting them, and 33 have a dedicated institution. Benin was the first African country to adopt a diaspora engagement policy, followed by Senegal and Rwanda.
Policy and Legal Reforms: Many nations are reforming policies to facilitate diaspora involvement. A key reform includes the allowance of dual citizenship, which strengthens the connection between diasporas and their home countries and can make it easier to travel and own land. Ghana, for example, permits dual citizenship for anyone of African descent. Countries also work on reducing the high cost of remittances, which is notably high in Sub-Saharan Africa. Developing diaspora bonds, as successfully done by Kenya, is another mechanism to attract investment.
Investment and Business Promotion: Governments are creating incentives and platforms to attract diaspora investments. This includes organizing business forums, providing information on investment opportunities, and facilitating contacts between diaspora investors and local enterprises. Ethiopia offers a "yellow card" to diaspora members, granting them benefits and rights similar to domestic investors. There's also a growing interest in supporting diaspora entrepreneurs who return to set up businesses, particularly in innovative industries.
Cultural and Social Initiatives: Efforts extend to fostering cultural pride and connection through events, festivals, and cultural exchange programs. Initiatives like Ghana's "Year of Return" and "Beyond the Return" aim to connect with Ghanaian and African diaspora communities worldwide.
Leveraging Technology: Advancements in technology are increasingly utilized to facilitate virtual skill transfer, investment opportunities, and cultural exchange, making engagement more accessible.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite significant progress, challenges persist in maximizing diaspora engagement. Issues of trust between African governments and their diasporas are frequently cited, often stemming from historical ethnic and political differences. Limited human resources, weak political will, and a lack of inter-agency coordination can also hinder effective implementation of diaspora strategies. Additionally, while remittances are crucial, their non-scalability and high transaction costs present limitations, indicating a need to move beyond remittances to sustainable investment.
Opportunities for further engagement include fostering public-private partnerships, enhancing capacity-building for diaspora organizations, and supporting initiatives that address youth empowerment and inclusivity in diaspora programming. The African Union's Diaspora Scorecard tool aims to help member states assess their progress and accelerate the formulation and implementation of diaspora strategies in line with Agenda 2063, which envisions the diaspora integrated into democratic processes and dual citizenship as standard by 2025.
Conclusion
The engagement of the African diaspora by African presidents represents a strategic and evolving approach to continental development. From substantial economic contributions through remittances and investments to invaluable human capital and significant political and cultural influence, the diaspora is undeniably a powerful asset. By continually strengthening institutional frameworks, reforming policies, and addressing trust deficits, African nations can further unlock the immense potential of their global family, forging a path towards a more prosperous and integrated continent. This comprehensive research by Beyonddennis highlights that the commitment to a "people-oriented and driven organization" is increasingly central to Africa's future.