The diaspora: connotations to national development strategy
With around 8 million people spread around the world, including 3.5 in France, expatriate Africans are today a renewable resource for their country. What is the problem of this century and why the diaspora as an answer?
Diaspora design changes
The term “diaspora” has had several connotations over time. It had a positive connotation during the colonization of Asia by the Greeks. It referred to commercial conquests and expansion, and therefore to wealth. Then at some point in history, the term “immigrant” appeared to refer to those who leave their countries of origin for other countries. Over time, the term “diaspora” reappeared, which then designated the “cultural representatives” of a people overseas. And it is this connotation that the diaspora has today in the 21st century. Even better, states today speak of the diaspora, more than renewable wealth, but as a strategy for national development.
The issue of a new Africa
In terms of economic intelligence, we are at a very important time. At least for Africa. Therefore, several serious studies speak of Africa as the market of the future. Why is the African market the future? These studies are based on the growing connectivity as well as the huge potentials in Africa. We are at a time when the weaknesses and challenges of Africa are becoming an opportunity. Whether in education, banking, e-service or telecoms, Africa, more than ever, has a lot to offer. It is precisely to respond to this problem that a new strategy is being developed by the States: that of using the African diasporas for national development.
The diaspora as a national development strategy
On the one hand, Africa sometimes lacks resources in certain fields in which there are listed professions of the future. Thus, to overcome this deficit, strategies are put in place to concentrate African human resources and make them available to Africa. It is about improving the business climate in Africa to push Africans to invest in the continent. But it is also a question of connecting Africans with the diaspora in order to develop a commitment on the part of the diaspora but also to promote a transfer of skills. In addition to the jurisdictional framework, the funds transferred by the diaspora amount to several billion. These transfers are sometimes greater than international aid for development in Africa. As evidenced by the transfer of the Senegalese diaspora in 2017 which amounted to 1.5 billion and which represents 10% of the GDP. Thus, within the very framework of investment, strategic axes are defined, not to say priority of investment.
On the other hand, who says promotion of investment also says promotion of entrepreneurship in Africa. So the trend is back in Africa. More and more Africans are coming back or planning to come back and do business. Procedures have also been put in place to facilitate diaspora entrepreneurship. Whether in the legal or financial framework. An initiative that creates economic activities in Africa and therefore jobs.
Other article: https://www.afrikatech.com/start-business/diaspora-sud-vision-2nd-edition-of-jieda-day-of-rewards-for-entrepreneurial-initiatives-of-the-african-diaspora /
Read also: https://club-efficience.com/fr/continent-africain-face-developpement-a-mondialisation/
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