Diaspora Forum

Newsletter 9

Ethiopian Diaspora –Huge Potential for Development

In a country’s development the combined effort of its people and the government is very decisive. Even if the major stake holders in this case remain people residing within the country, it is not enough to exclusively  rely on the latter. Therefore, the efforts of the government coupled with people from within and outside the country is important in this case.  

Various documents confirm that a number of countries in the world are effectively tapping the potentials of the Diaspora to boost their soio-economic and political development.               

Likewise, Ethiopia now has given much attention to coordinate its internal and external assets (people within the country and the Diaspora) to attain the peace, democracy and development agendas that the government has envisaged.   

 In fact, since Ethiopia has begun to tread on the path to democracy multitudes of the Ethiopian Diaspora have come to their country of origin and engaged in various investment activities. The interest and initiatives of Ethiopian Diaspora to take part in the development efforts is largely attributed to the peaceful and democratic environment in Ethiopia. 

There are evidences which show right now that the number of Ethiopian Diaspora who are engaged in investment activities is showing increment. Besides, there is significant change concerning knowledge transfer, issues of remittance, and other related contribution. For example, according to a recent report by the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin have invested 865,174, 566.47 USD on various ventures. These include projects in sectors like agriculture, construction, education, health, hotel and tourism, among others. Investment sectors which the Ethiopian Diaspora are involved in have also created significant employment opportunities. 

What needs to be mentioned here is that the government has taken the contribution of Ethiopian Diaspora into consideration and has been trying to expand their privileges and encourage them to invest more in their country of origin. In fact, a number of expatriate Ethiopians have used those privileges granted by the government so as to actively engage in various businesses. Such kind of give and take situation by and large can help Ethiopia to go a step forward in endeavors for development.  

It is in such common understanding that the country can attain peace, good governance and speedy economic development. What the Ethiopian government has been striving at was creating enabling conditions for such a timely agenda of Ethiopians.