Modupe AdefesoOctober 30 2008

"Effective strategies of African Diaspora in African-European

Business

13th International Metropolis ConferenceMobility, Integration and Development in a Globalised World

www.africarecruit.com

“Diaspora must be perceived in very positive light as an effective integrating force to be

reckoned with, and a key driver for sustainable development … “AfricaRecruit

“The African Diaspora have long contributed to developing capacity in their country of origin, through activities such as setting up facilities,

institutions and conferences. However, it is crucial that better use is made of their

enormous potential. Commission for Africa

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Overview of the African Diaspora

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Who is the African Diaspora?

Live in one place which may or may not be home, and identify another place as “home”

Diversity of background factors. Nationality Parentage Descent – migrant and slave trade era Heterogeneity

“People of African Origin living outside the continent, irrespective of citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and building of the African Union” - African Union

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Africa’s greatest offshore asset…

75% had postgraduate qualifications* 54% left Africa for career and professional

development*

Other facts At least 1 out of every 35 persons worldwide is a

member of the Diaspora Every African country has a pool of highly skilled

personnel in diaspora

*Source: 2006 AfricaRecruit Survey of 3,000 plus African Diaspora5

Africa’s greatest offshore asset…

AfricaRecruit survey of over 600 African diaspora (2008)

73% - further tertiary degrees 85% - additional qualification to improve career

prospects 69% - gainfully employed

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Africa’s greatest offshore asset…

Diaspora Contribution* 5-10% of GDP in some countries Invest over $5billion a year Over $45billion remitted annually

*AfricaRecruit’s findings from documented research between 2004 and 2006

Well-managed migration is hugely important because of the links it establishes between countries’

International Development Select Committee (UK Parliament) Findings 2004

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Contribution in a vast array of industry sectors

Finance/Business Health Technology The Arts Education Sports Consumer goods Charity etc

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The Africa Recruit Example

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AfricaRecruitEnabling best practiceSurveys, Seminars,

AnalysisThink Tank

www.africarecruit.com

Findajobinafrica.comEnabling Skills

Mobility and Knowledge Transfer

www.findajobinafrica.com

Africa Diaspora Enabling Remittances

And Investmentswww.africadiaspora.com

• New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

• Commonwealth Business Council • Commonwealth Secretariat

Capacity Building with Diaspora as one of the drivers for development

"AfricaRecruit one of The New Partnership for Africa's Development’s (NEPAD) big achievements in just 4 years" The Journey So Far NEPAD Secretariat June 2005

AfricaRecruit

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Who we are

Was formally launched in 2002, as an offshoot of www.findajobinafrica.com established in 1999

Was launched as a mobilization programme - a joint project of the NEPAD, Commonwealth Business Council with the Commonwealth Secretariat a joint partner March 2005

Mobilizes skills and human resource capacity building in and outside of Africa. It also mobilizes the African Diaspora towards capacity building in Africa either through skills or investment or harnessing the capacity of remittances

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What we do

Raises global awareness about the need for human resource/skills development in Africa by addressing the continent’s skills and capacity gaps

Advocates for policies that help to develop Africa’s human resource capacity

Formulates and implements practical programmes that help to reverse Africa’s brain drain or capitalizes on the African Diaspora’s social and financial capital

Provide technical assistance to individuals and organisations involved in Africa’s human resource development

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What have we done

Human Resources/Skills Remittances/Investment

5 successful Human Resource (HR) forums Healthcare mobilisation forum Conducted in-depth surveys of Brain drain Regional wide HR E-Newsletter Diaspora E Newsletter Database of Skills, Advertised over 20,000

jobs in 6 years 3 International career/recruitment fairs

inside and outside Africa Return of over 3000 Africans in the

Diaspora/year and retained skills within Africa Influenced policies and operational change

5 Diaspora Investment Forums Conducted in-depth surveys of over

3,000 Diaspora on remittances and Investments

Facilitated and supported numerous Diaspora investment/business conferences in Europe/North America

Showcase success stories Successfully advocated for changes

at governmental and operational level

"When AfricaRecruit was launched in 2002, I provided an endorsement in the firm belief that its objectives were not only noble but also realizable. Since then, the initiative has performed creditably and become a key part of the NEPAD programme to mobilize quality skills for Africa.“ H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President Federal Republic of Nigeria

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What have we done

Examples Examples

Facilitated in the dissemination of information e.g. African Regional Office of the International Council for Science (ICSU ROA) Regional Consultative Forum, Call for Diaspora representation on regional Agricultural Executive Board

Advocacy and lobbying at various governmental and business levels inside and outside Africa on the role the Diaspora are playing

Submission and evidence to the UK government leading to the development of Send Money Home a remittance harnessing programme

Supporting various Diaspora events

"When AfricaRecruit was launched in 2002, I provided an endorsement in the firm belief that its objectives were not only noble but also realizable. Since then, the initiative has performed creditably and become a key part of the NEPAD programme to mobilize quality skills for Africa.“ H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Federal Republic of Nigeria

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African Diaspora Contribution to

Business in Europe

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What do the Diaspora bring to the table?

Provide the ‘Third’ perspective

Aid development agenda via investment in the UK and remittances to home countries*

Provide revenue for Europe via national income contributions, charitable giving

Provide a pool of skills for Europe Majority of Diaspora that legally filter through tough

immigration policies are usually the highly skilled or very experienced

According to Mr. Peter Munga (2006) Chairman Equity Bank Kenya, ‘global workers remittance has become a major source of development finance ’

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Serve as resource providing intelligence and advisory services to public and private sectors Investment Diaspora Engagement Strategies Development Conflict – survival and recovery

Entrepreneurship Establish businesses that create jobs

Provide revenue for education sector via expensive international student fees and poor access to access to loans

What do the Diaspora bring to the table?

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Lessons Learnt

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Effective strategies – the how

– Identification • Who are we?• What do we bring to the table?

– Network Establishment• Stems from what do we want to achieve• Who do we need to engage with

– Engagement (multiple levels)• Policy – government• Private sector• Civil society

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– Substantial investment in foreign education– Understanding of business climate in Africa

• Socio-cultural issues• Political issues

Effective strategies - the how

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Spheres for Improvement

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• Create win-win scenarios– Harnessing diaspora capital (financial, intellectual, social) and provide the with

strategic opportunities

• Encourage, support and reward Diaspora innovation and contribution– Creation of new businesses

• Foster beneficial partnerships– Closer cooperation between the private, public and civil society sectors – Provide transparent information on investment opportunities

• Engage Diaspora in global supply chain lines

Role for the business sector

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Employment opportunities

Ongoing skills development/training

Lift barriers to effective engagement – the glass ceiling Incentives

Role for the business sector

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Conclusion

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Conclusion

African diaspora are a huge resource for business in Europe

Some of the greatest potentials lie untapped Potential is apparent in face of changing global financial climate Emerging markets

Strategic opportunities

It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.’

Zig Ziglar

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Contact Details

AfricaRecruit-Findajobinafrica18 Pall Mall

London SW1 5LUUnited Kingdom

info@africarecruit.comwww.africarecruit.com

www.findajobinafrica.com www.africacareerguidance.com

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