Africa’s young population presents both opportunities and challenges. By 2035, the continent will have the world’s youngest workforce, but traditional economic development paths have not adequately supported this population. This challenge requires a new development path and both the African Diaspora Network (ADN) and the Rhodes Trust believe that the diaspora’s global expertise and connections are crucial in advancing African development.
Harnessing the Power of the African Diaspora
Nearly $100 billion flows from the African diaspora to the continent annually – almost ten times the amount of traditional aid. Beneath these impressive figures lies an even more powerful force: the human capital, professional networks, and global expertise of millions of African professionals scattered across the world. Josh Ghaim, Founder of Ignite Venture and ADN Board Member remarked “when you think about J&J, I was part of the consumer health business – there were nine people in the leadership, four of them were Africans. That’s just one company…, and nobody was leveraging that.” In boardrooms and institutions across the globe, African talent isn’t just present – it’s impacting. The challenge isn’t capability; it’s coordination and connection.
Rhodes Trust Warden & CEO Elizabeth Kiss also emphasized the shared commitment to African development and the ways in which we can bring our ecosystems together to support young African leaders delivering transformative impact in Africa. As of 2024, twenty Scholarships are awarded annually to students from Africa and the goal is to increase this number to 32 Scholars from Africa per year by 2028.
Personal Journeys, Global Impact
Shantel Mareker, Analyst at World Bank and Rhodes Scholar story adds another dimension to the diaspora impact narrative. Growing up in Zimbabwe, she benefited from the kindness of teachers, community members and international institutions such as Rhodes who believed in education’s power. Today, as founder of Little Dreamers, she’s revolutionizing early childhood education in disadvantaged communities with a graduating cohort of over 300 students.
Dr. Charles Masaki, Clinician at Mass General Hospital is building crucial bridges in healthcare delivery and medical education. His involvement in developing organ transplantation systems in Kenya demonstrates how diaspora experts can transfer knowledge and systems while respecting local contexts.
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Key Lessons for Diaspora and Youth Engagement
- Find Your Unique Contribution
Focus on where you can make the most impact rather than trying to do everything is crucial. Every diaspora member has unique skills and connections that can benefit the continent in specific ways. - Think Ecosystems, Not Project
The success of initiatives like the Accelerators Program at ADN or the Rhodes Scholarship shows the importance of building sustainable systems rather than implementing isolated projects. - Leverage Position and Influence
Whether it’s securing institutional funding or influencing global policy, diaspora members can use their positions to create change. - Start Where You Are
The power of representation shouldn’t be underestimated, sometimes just succeeding in your field can inspire the next generation. - Build Sustainable Models
The shift from donation to investment, from charity to partnership, is crucial for creating lasting impact.
