FREE Diaspora of Africa Newsletter - 24/08 Edition
A BIG WELCOME to all of you reading the inaugural edition of this new weekly newsletter. As a member of the global African Diaspora of Jamaican descent, I have always tried doing my best to keep tabs of what’s going on across this huge and diverse community, as it continues to grow and evolve. My weekly posts will keep you in the know about all of the significant Diaspora dealings as and when I come across them. If I hear about it, it’ll be posted and gathered here, nearly onto one page.
Diaspora finance and remittances news:
Data shows that the size of the Nigerian Diaspora clocks out at 17 million. The nation’s Diaspora is the largest of any across Africa, and is estimated to have sent $20 billion back home in remittances in 2023. In lieu of that, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment has set out ambitious plans to start up a $10 billion Nigeria Diaspora Fund. At present, it is seeking “fund managers for the development and establishment of a multisectoral, multilateral private sector-led investment fund”.
Nigeria also issued new US-dollar denominated bonds earlier this week. The government is seeking to raise as much as $2 billion via the issuance, with purchasers restricted to those holding domestic accounts like ““domiciliary accounts, diaspora remittances and foreign investments,”. United Capital Plc is managing the issuance, with the bonds paying an annual rate of interest of 9.75 percent over a five year period in dollars. Such high and relatively safe returns could appeal to Diaspora investors living in countries returning much lower T-Bill rates.
Ghanaian Economist and consultant Dr Richmond Atuahene said that “Ghana earned $28.6 billion over a 10-year period as against Cocoa which gave us $18.7 billion,”. Figures from the World Bank suggest that the 10 year sum from 2024-2033 could nearly double to $50 billion.
In other news, UK based fintech provider Wiremit is providing a $10 bonus for Zimbabwean recipients of Diaspora remittances, simply “use the promo code SEND10 when sending money to Zimbabwe through their online platform,”.
Travel and immigration news:
Main Ghanaian presidential contender Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised to implement visa-free travel for all citizens of African and Caribbean countries if elected president. This pledge builds on the country’s Year of the Return campaign in 2019. Ghana has become a leading destination for the global African Diaspora since then, but not all Ghanaians are ecstatic about it.
A Reddit post titled “Ghana's "year of return" 5 years later” was published earlier on this week and attracted over 60 comments, here is a snippet of the one most upvoted:
“It has increased publicity for the country and reduced the ignorance surrounding Africa and Ghana. However, the downside is driving prices up such that the locals can’t afford certain services”.
Benin recently proposed legislation that would “grant Beninese citizenship to “any person who, according to their genealogy, has an African, sub-Saharan ancestor deported as part of the slave trade and the triangular trade.”. The legislation was passed by Parliament at the end of July and is awaiting approval by President Patrice Talon.
Looking across to East Africa, Kenya is launching a new tourism campaign titled “Ziara Kenya: One Diaspora, One Tourist”. The goal behind it is to encourage the Kenyan Diaspora to tap into their overseas networks and bring along new visitors to Kenya. As part of a broader push by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) to attract 3 million tourists into Kenya by the end of 2024, the KTB will:
launch an online e-learning program and certification to enhance skills in promoting Kenya.
Hold webinars, virtual tours, and diaspora ambassadors will be utilized to champion the initiative globally.
Engage in key diaspora events to boost the campaign's visibility.
On the other hand, appeals are being made to neighbouring nation Tanzania to allow dual citizenship beyond adulthood. As it now stands, just over half of Africa’s 54 countries fully accept the right to dual citizenship, while another 23 partially accept dual citizenship with restrictions. As the population of the global African Diaspora continues to grow, expect this matter to become more prominent across the continent.
Ethiopian bank “Wegagen Bank, in collaboration with Visa Inc., has launched its International Prepaid Visa Card service, allowing customers, embassy staff, and international organization employees to make global payments without carrying cash.”. Such an initiative will help in facilitating more investment and spending into the country from its considerable Diaspora and others overseas. Something Ethiopia is now eagerly seeking in response it recently floating its national currency and subsequently experiencing a double-digit depreciation.
New African Diaspora appointments and initiatives:
TikTok heads creation of new Sub-Saharan African Safety Advisory Council. Appointed members include:
Prof Guy Berger, Rhodes University (South Africa)
Dennis Coffie, Content creator (Ghana)
Peter Cunliffe-Jones, University of Westminster Visiting Research Fellow (UK)
Aisha Dabo, Co-Founder and coordinator of AfricTivistes (Senegal)
Lillian Kariuki, Founder and Executive Director of Watoto Watch Network (Kenya)
Dr Akinola Olojo, Expert on preventing and countering violent extremism (Nigeria)
Prof Medhane Tadesse, Policy academic on peace and security issues (Ethiopia)
Berhan Taye, Independent Researcher (Ethiopia)
UK Nigerian Diaspora Benjamin Kuti appointed as brand ambassador for Nigerian company Equity Circle Realty Limited
“To leverage the diasporan market, the President of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, Benjamin Kuti, also known as Oluomo of Derby has been appointment as a brand ambassador for Equity Circle.”
Retired Systems Engineer of the US Institute of Engineering for the US Airforce, Prof. Adedeji Badiru visits NiDCOM, Abuja, Nigeria
NiDCOM (Nigerians in Diaspora Commission) CEO Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa met with Prof. Adedeji Badiru to discuss how they can draw on experts on ICT within the global Nigerian Diaspora to assist with the capacity building and mentoring of local talent. Prof. Badiru has already played a prominent role here, donating technical textbooks to Nigerian institutes, along with connecting them to training opportunities and facilitating avenues for knowledge sharing.
Nigerian government creates Technical Working Committee focused on better utilizing Diaspora expertise
The Nigerian government has established the Technical Working Committee to leverage diaspora expertise in enhancing knowledge transfer to Nigerian students and health professionals through targeted initiatives such as courses, workshops, and seminars. With only 55,000 of Nigeria’s 85,000-90,000 doctors remaining in the country, and nearly 14,000 Nigerian nurses currently practicing in the UK, this effort is seen as a crucial step in tapping into global talents to improve health education and services in Nigeria.
Recent events:
WidaFest, Windsor, Ontario, Canada: 16th -18th August 2024
“This festival is a celebration of the vibrant cultures of Africa and African diaspora. WIDAFEST aims to foster a sense of unity and pride within the African diaspora community while also educating and engaging the broader Windsor community about African heritage and traditions.”
2024 Afro Festival, Brno, Czech Republic: 17th August 2024
“Hundreds attended the 2024 Afro Festival in Brno on Saturday, where, under the shade of the tower of the Old Town Hall, a busy mix of city locals and visitors enjoyed a variety of music, traditional African food, and dance workshops.”
Naijabrandchick Trade Fair, London, England: 17th - 18th August 2024
“The fair has so far attracted over 100 Nigerian vendors of different products who are gearing up to bring the best of African products straight from the motherland. The products range from African foods/dishes, African foodstuffs, African ready-to-wear outfits, African braids and hairs, and African skin and hair care products, etc. There will also be master-classes centred on business.”
Here’s a nice YouTube upload that shows some snippets of the event.
Ongoing and upcoming events:
When We See Us. A Century of Black Figuration in Painting, Kunstmuseum Basel, Basel, Switzerland: 25th May - 24th November 2024
“This multifaceted special exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart introduces viewers to figurative painting by Black artists from Africa and the African Diaspora dating from the 1920s through to the present.”
Benin Dues. Dealing with Looted Royal Treasures, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland: 24 August 2024 - 14 September 2025
“This exhibition, drawing on research from the Swiss Benin Initiative (BIS), has been developed with Nigerian experts from Benin City and diaspora groups in Zurich.”
Sounds of Africa, National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C, USA: August 24th, September 28th, October 26th and November 16th 2024
“We are celebrating 60 years of African Art in theDistrict with the National Museum of African Art. The Smithsonian is sponsoring a series of free concerts to share the Sounds of Africa, a tribute to the music of the African Diaspora.”
King Of T3MA, NYC, New York, USA: 24th August 2024
“Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session with the producer, director, and casting director. Meanwhile, special guests and key figures in the film industry are expected to join in the celebration of this cinematic achievement.”
Africa-Japan Youth Drive, Tokyo, Japan: 24th August 2024
“this themed event will highlight the role of youth as catalysts for transformative change. Building on a series of Future Design Approach workshops involving youth from both regions, the event will provide a platform for inter-generational dialogue.”
2024 Ghana Kente Festival, Houston, Texas, USA: 24th - 25th August 2024
“The event being organised by the Black Heritage LLC is an annual event that brings together the fashion industry to deliberate on moving forward Ghanaian local fashion in the Diaspora.”
Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas, Bahia, Brazil: 29th - 31st August 2024
“Experts, researchers, relevant names in culture, social movement leaders and other representatives from the public and private sectors will be in the capital of Bahia to discuss Pan-Africanism, memory, restitution, reparation and reconstruction.”
Second Edition of the All-African Movements Assembly, Accra, Ghana: 29th - 31st August 2024
“The All-African Movements Assembly (AAMA) 2024, taking place from August 29th to 31st in Accra, Ghana, is a crucial gathering of African movements, activists, and human rights defenders.”
Dogon Restaurant opening, Washington D.C. USA: 9th September 2024
“Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi sits along the revitalized Southwest waterfront in Salamander Washington DC, and the acclaimed chef makes his highly anticipated return to the nation’s capital with a concept inspired by DC Surveyor Benjamin Banneker and his heritage to the West African Dogon tribe. Pronounced “Doh-gon,” the restaurant serves vibrant cuisine through an Afro-Caribbean lens and draws from Onwuachi’s unique Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian and Creole background.”
Re-INCARNATION, London, England: 18th -19th September 2024
“Re-INCARNATION tells the cycle of life marked by the urban vibrancy of the Nigerian city of Lagos. An ode to Nigerian culture, this dance, music, fashion and visual art performance showcases the depth of ancient Yoruba philosophy mixed with Nigerian youth culture.”
Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation's ART IS ALIVE festival, NYC, New York, USA: 21st September 2024
“Every year we present the richness of African and African Diasporic multi-disciplinary art forms including vibrant performances, engaging classes, and educational and insightful workshops,”
The Africa-America Institute 40th Annual Awards Gala, NYC, New York, USA: 24th September 2024
“This year’s gala, themed “Bridging Cultures & Igniting Futures: An Evening Honoring African and Diasporan Visionaries in Arts and Culture,” will feature a Presidential Fireside Chat with His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, and His Excellency Joseph Boakai, the President of Liberia.”
Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024, Algiers, Algeria: 16th - 19th October 2024
“CANEX WKND 2024 represents a pivotal moment for creative and cultural industries in Global Africa to showcase their talent and thrive. By bringing together diverse talents from across the continent and diaspora, we’re not just showcasing creativity; we’re not just showcasing creativity; we’re building a robust ecosystem that will propel African culture onto the global stage.”
Other news:
Afrieximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) announced the release of its highly anticipated EP, titled ‘One Drum’. The musical creation will bring together members of the global African Diaspora from Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, the USA, and Europe. Guest appearances include the likes of Lauryn Hill, Olodum, Flavour and Stephen Marley. Here’s a promotional trailer from CANEX’s Instagram.
The Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee USA (NAPAC-USA), a group representing Diaspora interests within the United States, is pushing for eligible members within the US-Nigerian community to run for local, state and national seats in the country’s upcoming elections this fall. Figures from across the pond in the UK like Kemi Badenoch and Abigail Marshall Katung have already answered this call from the Diaspora, so let’s see how things fare over in America this November.
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