Mobilizing the African Diaspora for Development Initiative

UPDATE AS OF June 30, 2009: DMADA Launch Will Not Proceed

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In May 2003, the African Union (AU) Executive Council directed the AU to actively engage the African Diaspora in the development efforts of the continent. The AU Executive Council defined the African Diaspora as: "the African Diaspora consists of peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the Africa Union." In this regard, the African Union and African Governments have embarked on a process of engaging the African Diaspora for the continent's development. This agenda includes six areas of focus: (i) Economic Cooperation, (ii) Regional Development and Integration, (iii) Women, Youth and Vulnerable Groups, (iv) Historical, Socio-Cultural and Religious Commonalities, (v) Peace and Security, and (vi) Knowledge Sharing and Learning.

The World Bank recently launched an initiative on Mobilizing the African Diaspora for Development (see AFR Diaspora program concept note) in support of the AU and African Government agenda. The Bank is in the process of exploring multiple approaches including support and facilitation of: (i) the Diaspora to build on ongoing efforts via a blended strategy of "virtual" participation; short, medium and long term placements; return and retention; and institutional partnerships and networks; (ii) governments to create enabling environments including operational policies for Diaspora to provide services and products; and deploying professionals through national focal points; (iii) business and investment promotion networks through mechanisms for Diaspora and home country partners to access development funds; and (iv) donor partners including the African Development Bank to support a Diaspora Investment Fund based on global initiatives that exploit the benefits of Diaspora remittances. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the African Union and the World Bank will be signed in January 2008 to formalize the collaborative efforts on this agenda.

An immediate step of furthering the engagement agenda was an Open House for the African Diasporas, held in Washington, DC on November 29, 2007. The Open House is one element of the Bank's strategy of support. During the Open House, we shared information on the various ways in which the Bank Group can support the African Diaspora, and as well, clarified the limitations of the Bank Group, given our Articles of Agreement and the policies and procedures established by our shareholders. We also used the opportunity to listen to Diaspora on what they believe the Bank Group can do to support their efforts in development. The Website about the African Diaspora Mobilization initiative, as well as the Open House, is on  http://www.worldbank.org/afr/diaspora. A similar event is being organized for Diaspora organizations in Europe in the near future.

Recent, ongoing, and planned activities of the Bank Diaspora program include:

1. The Development Marketplace for the African Diaspora in Europe (D-MADE). Early concept definition for a Development Marketplace for the Diaspora in the Americas is also under way.
2. A High Level Seminar on the African Diaspora organized under the auspices of the Joint African Institute (JAI) of the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank and the IMF. The theme for the high level seminar was promoting Diaspora-led investments as viable sources of financing for enhanced growth and development in Africa.