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Africa harnesses diaspora power amid migration and climate crises
| May 25, 2024 | |
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A recent report finds that skills mobility and diaspora investments are revolutionising Africa amid climate and mass migration challenges. But some experts remain skeptical.
As the world becomes more interconnected and new challenges like climate change arise, migration has become a critical topic, especially in Africa, which is continually affected by unpredictable weather patterns.
The continent has experienced both the benefits and drawbacks of migration. On one hand, Africa faces a significant brain drain, with up to 70,000 skilled professionals leaving every year in search of better opportunities. On the other hand, climate-induced migration strains both migrants and host countries due to limited resources.
But there is also a silver lining: the African diaspora is increasingly investing back home, contributing through remittances and establishing businesses that create jobs and benefit local communities.
mass Migration and human development in Africa
A joint report by The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) titled 'Diaspora Engagement, Climate-Induced Migration, and Skills Mobility: A Focus on Africa' delves into the complex aspects of migration, highlighting its implications for human development and poverty reduction across the continent.The report, which was released in March 2024, underscores the intricate relationship between diaspora engagement, climate-induced migration and skills mobility in Africa. It sheds light on how these phenomena intersect, influence each other and ultimately impact the socio-economic landscape of the continent.
The report notes that African diaspora communities play a pivotal role in fostering development in their countries of origin. For example, remittances sent by diaspora members significantly contribute to national economies, serving as a lifeline for many households and facilitating investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure.
In 2023, remittances sent to Sub-Saharan Africa reached USD 54 billion, with the continent expected to receive over USD 100 billion this year from Africans in diaspora according to estimates.
Tapping into skills mobility
Skills mobility, another key aspect highlighted in the report, has been crucial for driving innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth in Africa. The migration of skilled individuals, including professionals, scientists, and entrepreneurs, the authors of the report indicate, catalyses development by transferring knowledge, technology and expertise across borders."In Africa, migration stands as a powerful tool for poverty reduction, offering individuals the opportunity to escape entrenched cycles of deprivation," Anita Nkirote, a Kenyan-based political and development expert, told FairPlanet.
"It fosters cultural exchange, knowledge transfer, and economic diversification, driving progress and prosperity across the continent," she added, echoing the report's findings.
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