African diaspora mobilization targets economic development

Efforts to leverage the African diaspora as a driver for economic development and investment have gained momentum through recent initiatives in Cameroon and France.

The fourth edition of the Africa-Canada Immigration and Investment Forum (SACII) was held in Yaoundé, focusing on transforming human mobility and diaspora networks into economic partnerships. Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon, Marie-Claude Harvey, emphasized the role of diaspora communities as “bridges” to facilitate trade and business partnerships between the two nations. This aligns with Cameroonian efforts to integrate diaspora resources into the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30), supported by discussions involving the Ministry of Finance and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In a related movement, the “Back to Africa” initiative, involving Master Coach Raphaël Djine, was highlighted during an event in Paris. The initiative seeks to mobilize the financial resources and professional skills of Africans living abroad to address continental challenges such as infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, and industrialization. The goal is to transition the diaspora from observers to active economic contributors through entrepreneurship and capital mobilization.