Since 2010, the African Diaspora Network (ADN) has worked alongside Africans, diasporans, and allies to drive development both on the continent and within diaspora communities. While much of the conversation on African migration focuses on those who have moved outside the continent, ADN recognizes the immense economic and social contributions of intra-African diasporans—such as Nigerians in Ghana or Tanzanians in Kenya. Despite the efforts of economic blocs like ECOWAS and EAC to facilitate movement and trade, data on intra-African migration remains sparse, limiting policymakers’ ability to fully harness its impact. With an estimated 21 million Africans residing in another African country as of 2020, understanding these intra-Africa diaspora communities is crucial to advancing economic growth and development.
To address this gap, ADN has partnered with Africa Practice to enhance the data available on intra-African migration. By merging ADN’s expertise in diaspora engagement with Africa Practice’s research and analytics capabilities, this collaboration seeks to provide policymakers, businesses, and international organizations with valuable insights into migration patterns, remittances, and diaspora contributions. In 2024, remittances to and within Africa are projected to surpass $100 billion, making up over 5% of Africa’s GDP—more than double the official development assistance received. In 2021, Cameroon to Nigeria accounted for the 12th largest remittance corridor to or within Africa, underscoring the significant financial flows that exist within the continent. However, discourse on diaspora contributions remains disproportionately focused on those living outside of Africa, overshadowing the significant economic and cultural impact of intra-African migrants.
To learn more about this partnership and how we plan to address the data gap, see here.
