Are African diasporas development partners, peace-makers or spoilers? The case of Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria

This study assesses the role of African diasporas in development, conflict resolution and peace-building in their countries of origin with specific reference to Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria between 1995 and 2013. Remittances from diaspora to developing countries' are three times larger than official development assistance (ODA). In relation to a country's/region's population, it is revealed that migrants from Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria are less than the world, and sub-Saharan Africa. The adverse consequences of migration of skilled labour are more severe for small economies than for larger economies and the incentive to attract skilled human resources home is meager. About one-sixth of Nigeria's and Ethiopia's total inflows (export) and one-ninth of the total inflows of Kenya are from diaspora remittances. The estimated annual potential diaspora market that can be tapped by issuing bond for Nigeria is about $6 billion, for Ethiopia and Kenya more than $4 billion and $3 billion, respectively. The Kenyan diaspora is well organized across the globe, attentive to and keenly participates in conflict resolution and peace-building affairs. Even though there are some efforts, the vast majority of Nigerian diaspora is not active in dealing with conflict resolution, peace-building and political affairs in Nigeria. Unlike Kenyan and Nigerian diasporas, most of conflict-generated Ethiopian diasporas' role is wrecking and escalating conflict.