Doha, 05 November 2025 (ECA) – Amidst the ongoing global crises, African countries are turning to the diaspora to fuel social development and build a more resilient future. At a high-level solutions session, government ministers and international experts outlined ambitious strategies to transform the billions of dollars sent home as remittances from a lifeline for families into a catalyst for national progress.
The session, “Unlocking the Potential of Remittances and Diaspora Contributions for Social Development in Africa,” was convened by the Governments of Ghana and Tunisia in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
In her opening remarks, Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ECA, set the stage by highlighting the sheer scale of the opportunity. She noted that with 324 million international migrants worldwide—contributing close to 10% of global GDP—their potential is immense.
“Despite multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and global economic instability, remittances have remained resilient,” Ms. Morsy stated. She urged countries to move beyond consumption and better integrate these flows into national development plans to directly target poverty reduction, job creation, and enhanced social policies.
The session showcased a continent on the move, actively crafting policies to harness this diaspora capital.
Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Ms. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, revealed that remittances, which reached USD 4.7 billion in 2023 and now surpass official development aid, are formally integrated into the country’s medium-term development plan.
“We are channeling these funds to support education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community infrastructure,” Lartey said. Examples include education bonds for STEM laboratories and digital skills labs, turning diaspora generosity into tangible community assets.
Audrey Smock Amoah of Ghana’s National Development Planning Commission detailed how migration is now a key consideration in decentralized planning across all 261 local governments, ensuring these funds align with national priorities like job creation.
This strategic shift is critical elsewhere. In Tunisia, where remittances account for 6.5% of GDP, Mr. Tarek Bouhlel of the Ministry of Economy and Planning acknowledged challenges like high transfer costs and rigid administration. In response, with ECA support, Tunisia is developing a national strategy featuring a dedicated diaspora investment fund and products to attract capital into sustainable projects.
The urgency is even greater in Comoros, where remittances make up a staggering 20% of GDP. Dhoihirdine Ahmanda Bacar outlined plans for a Diaspora Stability Fund to channel these vital flows into productive investments and community infrastructure.
Beyond Money: Tapping the ‘32nd Region’
The discussions highlighted that the diaspora’s value extends far beyond finances. Côte d’Ivoire’s representative, Mr. Kouame Goli, powerfully framed its diaspora as the country’s “32nd region,” which remitted over USD 1 billion in 2024. The government is now mapping diaspora skills and recruiting professionals in sectors like aviation and technology to drive innovation at home.
Pär Liljert, from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), underscored the remarkable resilience of remittances, which grew by 16.4% during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the need to formalize flows, engage diaspora communities in development planning, and foster private-sector partnerships to lower transaction fees.
A Call for Innovation and Partnership
The interactive discussion delved into solutions, with participants from Cameroon, Tunisia, and Bangladesh stressing the need for capacity building so that receiving households can invest funds productively. The challenge of "brain drain" was met with proposals for "brain circulation," where diaspora experts return temporarily to transfer skills.
Key recommendations emerged as a clear roadmap for action:
1. Integrate Remittances: Make these flows a central part of national fiscal and development frameworks.
2. Drive Down Costs: Reduce transaction fees and improve the regulatory environment.
3. Pioneer Financial Products: Create diaspora bonds, mutual funds, and green investment platforms to attract capital into productive sectors.
4. Invest in People: Channel remittances into education, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, particularly for youth and women.
5. Strengthen Partnerships: Enhance collaboration between governments, diaspora groups, and the private sector.
6. Improve Data: Strengthen data systems to accurately measure and leverage diaspora contributions.
With the ECA noting that African diaspora savings are estimated at a colossal USD 53 billion annually, the message was clear: by unlocking this potential, the continent can build a more self-reliant and prosperous future, powered by its own global citizens.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
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