Factsheet: Leveraging the African Diaspora for Continental Transformation in Development

Background

The African Union Commission (AUC) envisions “an integrated continent that is politically united based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance”. Through its Citizens and Diaspora Organization (CIDO) the AUC seeks to nurture strategic relationships between the continent’s diaspora and Member States of the African Union. Initiatives to this end will be implemented under the Diaspora Engagement Project.

In May 2012, at the Global African Diaspora Summit held in Sandton, South Africa, African Heads of States and Governments adopted a Declaration that paved way for the development and implementation of the African Union Diaspora Programme. The Diaspora Engagement Project is an initiative of this programme.

Project Objectives

• Build the capacity of African Union member states to design, develop and implement national diaspora engagement programmes.
• Establish, strengthen and engage global African Diaspora Networks to support development initiatives in African Union member states.
• Create strategic diaspora engagement initiatives that utilise the knowledge capital of the African Diaspora to promote brain circulation.

Achievements

• As a result of CIDO’s support 45-member states have appointed Diaspora Focal Persons.
• Through CIDO’s networking platforms, 21 diaspora and Africa-base entrepreneurs have been linked to business mentorship opportunities.
• CIDO with support of from partners developed and piloted the Diaspora Engagement Self-Assessment Tool. 11 member states have utilized the tool to identify and address gaps in their diaspora engagement initiatives.

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