Africa is not just a continent of potential, it is a continent of momentum. With one of the worldโs youngest populations, abundant resources, rising digital connectivity, and a spirit of innovation rooted in resilience, Africa is poised to become a major engine of global growth.
But growth must be inclusive, not exclusive. And that means enabling the continentโs most powerful and under-utilised asset: the African Diaspora.
Across the world, millions of Africans in the diaspora already contribute to their home countries through remittances, education, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. But we are at a turning point. Sending money is not enough. The time has come to move beyond remittances and to harness our financial capital, intellectual power, and deep cultural knowledge to co-create Africaโs future.
Why Nigeria matters
With over 220 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the sixth most populous in the world. Its cultural influence, entrepreneurial energy, and global diaspora make it a cornerstone of Africaโs transformational journey.
In the United States, Nigerian-Americans are among the most educated and economically successful immigrant groups. As highlighted in Fareed Zakariaโs CNN segment What Makes Nigerians So Successful in America? Nigerians have a higher percentage of advanced degrees than the general U.S. population, with household incomes exceeding national averages. In 2024 alone, the Nigerian diaspora sent home almost $21 billion in remittances, surpassing foreign direct investment.
This economic power is not accidental, it is the result of education, determination, and deeply rooted cultural values. But imagine if we moved from transactions to transformational investments. Imagine if we built bridges, not just to give, but to grow.
Experiencing Nigeria: A journey of vision and action
In 2024, I traveled to Nigeria as a member of President Bidenโs Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement. While I had previously engaged with Nigerian entrepreneurs, artists, and tech leaders, this trip offered a deeper perspective, seeing Nigeria through the eyes of Nigerians. The experience was enriching, joyful, and transformative.
Thanks to the invitation of Abike Dabiri, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the warm welcome of my dear friend and ADN Partner, Thelma Ekiyor of the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy and Impact Investing (NPO), I participated in the 2025 Nigerian Diaspora Day celebrations, a gathering focused not just on celebration, but on collaboration.
Lagos: The pulse of innovation and trade
My journey began in Lagos, where I met with leaders from the Ministry of Commerce and Trade, explored special economic zones such as Alaro City, and learned about Nigeriaโs ambitious investment strategies. I was honored to meet with the Deputy Governor of Lagos, who emphasized the importance of leveraging diaspora partnerships for scalable growth.
At a vibrant U.S. Embassy reception, I connected with artists, business leaders, and a dynamic Nigerian business delegation from Georgia, USAโproof that the diaspora is not just watching, but returning to build.
Abuja: Diaspora day and strategic engagement
In Abuja, I visited Centenary City, a new smart city being built near the capital. Designed to be a modern, world-class hub, Centenary City is a symbol of Nigeriaโs forward-looking vision and the resilience of Africans everywhere.
I then joined the Nigerian Diaspora Day celebration hosted by NiDCOM. The message was clear: we must move from celebrating the diaspora to integrating them into national development.
At the opening ceremony, I had the honor of delivering a goodwill message. I spoke on the importance of unlocking the economic and intellectual capital of Nigerians abroad: โThis isnโt a transactional relationship. It is a strategic partnership. Letโs move from giving to growing. From promise to progress.โ
ADN in action: Connecting vision with impact
As CEO of African Diaspora Network (ADN), I co-hosted a private dinner with Ms. Thelma Ekyor, Chair of Nigerian Philanthropy Organisation (NP), convening leaders from ECOWAS, the Central Bank of Nigeria, NIDCOM, InnoPower, World Shoe Inc., Africa Practice, and impact investors and policymakers.
We discussed bold, actionable strategies to catalyse diaspora-led development:
I-Philanthropy โ Launched at the 2024 African Diaspora Investment Symposium in Silicon Valley, this initiative by the NPO and NiDCOM enables individuals to support job creation and MSMEs in sectors like fashion, furniture, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. Consider Giving to i-Philanthropy Platform and support job creation and SMEs in Nigeria.
ADN accelerator programmes โ Builders of Africaโs Future (BAF) and Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) are equipping African and diaspora entrepreneurs to build scalable, impact-driven ventures.
Beyond remittances trategy โ Repositioning the $100B+ in annual remittances across the continent as catalytic capital for infrastructure, SMEs, and innovation.
Policy Innovations โ Including the ECOWAS Investment Code, Intra-Africa Diaspora Engagement, visa frameworks for intra-Africa mobility, and a proposed Nigerian policy to unlock philanthropic capital from diaspora and corporate donors.
Key takeaways: From celebration to activation
The 2025 Nigerian Diaspora Day delivered tangible, forward-looking initiatives, including: Launch of a Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Program (6-month sabbaticals for diaspora professionals); Strengthening of the National Diaspora Policy, including progress on diaspora voting and subnational engagement; Introduction of a Diaspora Housing Platform and Mortgage Scheme; Plans for a Diaspora Investment Trust Fund to convert remittances into long-term national assets; Emphasis on youth and STEM innovation; and Deeper knowledge exchange, โbrain gain,โ and public-private diaspora partnerships.
A call to action: The time is now
For too long, we have framed the African diasporaโs role through the lens of charity. But charity is not enough. Africa needs strategic partners, visionary investors, and long-haul builders. This is the moment to: Invest in youth, technology, and local solutions, Organise our collective capital into funds that build ecosystems, Collaborate across sectorsโfrom government to philanthropy, science to storytelling, and Measure impact and build trust through transparency
Many African countries, including Nigeria, continue to face significant economic challenges. Thatโs why we must not only return home, but return with purpose, to lift others up. This requires becoming conscious, mindful investors who understand that true returns are not only financial, but also social, human, and generational.
Africaโs transformational journey is well underway, but that transformation must be shared. This is not just a call to invest; it is a call to invest differently.
Letโs make our capital countโnot just in numbers, but in lives changed and futures built. Letโs ensure that progress reaches every corner, so no one is left behind. And together, letโs co-create a future where Africaโs success is not the story of a few, but a shared journey that reflects the dignity, dreams, and potential of all its people.
Credit:The Guardian