The African Diasporas

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Information

The current scope of the world in regard to technology has seen an impact in the different spheres of life such as transport and business. Suitable means of transportation have over the years prompted individuals to go overseas as a way of seeking better working opportunities. Tambiah (2017, p.170) reports that this trend is quite rampant in Africa thus accounting for the 44 million immigrants living in America as per the year 2016. Despite having varied reasons in regard to settling in America such as fleeing from war-stricken areas, some immigrants are out to seek better-earning opportunities in foreign lands; this is based on the strength of the American currency that has the power to control the global markets. Working in the United States is hence a golden opportunity for the immigrants. Most of the immigrants as reported by Sinatti and Horst (2015, p.135) are African based. The money generated working in the United States is more profitable when invested back in their motherland. Consequently, they end up capitalizing on their mother countries thus creating an impact in the growth and development of their respective countries.

To some extent, the Africans living in the diaspora have a direct Impact on the success of the economic sector of their mother countries in Africa. Though  held in bondage by corruption and hate politics, Africa still realizes a positive growth rate. However, the pace is considered as slow in comparison to other continents. Besides, the pressure from families back at home who expect a handful of help from Africans in the diaspora prompts a number to invest in businesses. As a result, such actions are envisioned as a way of showing gratitude thus posing some advantages as they create employment opportunities. The need to create employment opportunities is spelled out by Constant and Zimmermann (2016, p.1122) stating that almost half of the 10 million university graduates across 668 universities in Africa on some annual basis miss job vacancies. Africa as a continent faces both unemployment and underemployment, thus contributing to its slow growth. Unemployment in many cases is linked to influence crime as a way of making a living. However, African Diasporas take up the responsibility to invest in their respective countries thus eradicating social vices such as crime.

1.2 Objective of the study

            The primary objective of this study work towards exploring how the African Diaspora affect the development of a country. The need to expound more on this contentious issue narrows down to the fact that the world is changing in the technology sector. Technology, as explained by Tambiah (2017, p.192), has impacted some processes such as transport as well as opening opportunities to international jobs. As a result, this has seen people seek for job opportunities outside Africa thus increasing the number of Africans in the diaspora. In the end, the study should depict and be in a position to point out the negative or positive impact in regard to Africans living in the diaspora investing in their country. Based on the above information, this research study aims at exploring some objectives namely;

·       To investigate the extent to which the Africa Diaspora has contributed to the development of the various countries they originate.

·       To explore the extent to which different countries have incorporated the idea of receiving the support sent in by African living in the Diaspora

·       To evaluate the various challenges as well as hindrances that bar the non-governmental organizations founded by African Diaspora from prospering in their countries of origin.

1.3 Statement of the problem

The rate at which Africans are traveling overseas in search for greener pastures is quite alarming. Boly et al (2014, p.433) talk of a steady increase in the number of unregistered immigrants to the United States. The number of African Diaspora is bound to increase despite the various measures to curb a high increase of immigrants. Sinatti and Horst (2015, p.149) report that 2.1 million Africans were living in America as per the year 2015. The number signifies a rise from 881,000 in 2000 despite being under different government regimes. In regards, most African Diasporas gain access to foreign countries via various means such as the diversity visa program. Chand (2016, p.288) explains the diversity visa program as an act passed in 1990 to help encourage immigration from nationals in underrepresented countries. The move was majorly meant for the European nations. Nevertheless, a significant number of Africans have benefited from the movement.

On arrival, African Diasporas assume duties such as manual labor thus benefiting from the high wages compared to those in Africa as the United States employers observe the minimum wage set by the government. African Diasporas act as the source of livelihood for their families back at home. They send money to cater for their basic needs and at the same time make savings to help run businesses once they are back home. On the other hand, they can trust relatives with businesses but give directives on the type of business or investments to run. Once in a while, African Diasporas fly in to check on the progress. Since the businesses are now set up, the main question lies in what impact do they have on the development of the country from creating employment opportunities and acting as a source of government revenue. As a result, there is the need to evaluate the impact of African Diasporas in the development of their countries.

1.4 Purpose of the study

The personal experience impacted the purpose of conducting this study. As part of fulfilling this course, I was an intern at a local bank. The banking industry is multi-racial thus saw quite a significant number of Africans working in the same firm. Employees interact as a way of learning about each other's backgrounds by use of various techniques such as rounds, and dyads as explained by Tambiah (2017, p.180). As a result, I was in a position to observe that some Africans invested back home using their salaries thus raising my curiosity. Africa as a third world country is infested by corruption and hate politics. Besides, Constant and Zimmerman, (2016, p.1114) explains that Africa is made up of third world countries due to its impoverished state and oppressive governments. However, that is currently changing due to the different unions being formed by nations thus influencing the political situation of the African Countries.

In regard to this study, African Diasporas will gain knowledge regarding the investment opportunities back at home, this is due to the differences among the African Diasporas where some after being stable recall members from their family to join them in the foreign countries thus leaving Africa permanently. Such Diasporas rarely invest in their mother countries whereas some opt to come back after a period and settle in Africa after making savings that are quite a considerable amount of money in the third world countries. By way of explaining the type of investments made, the study will be in a position of this money sent has a positive impact on the development of this countries. Besides, the study will help realize the types of business and investments suitable for the third world countries by making comparisons of the successful investments made by African Diasporas over the years that help impact the development of the mother countries.

1.5 Significance of the study

The study is more inclined towards the current scope of business. African Diasporas having invested in enterprises located in Africa, the study will signify the need for different aspects such as technology to boost performance. On the other hand, most of the countries in Africa are regarded as developing countries. Chand (2016, p.280) explains that developing countries are still on the verge of setting up business corporations that tend to boost the country's economy. Besides, developing countries have room to generate and raise existing ideas as compared to developed countries where everything has already fallen into place. Consequently, this makes it hard for African Diasporas to invest in foreign countries due to some factors such as the difference in the rate of tariffs based on citizens and non-citizens. As a result, they opt to invest in Africa based on some factors such as the availability of cheap labor and boosting the development of a country. Throughout this study, information on why there is the need for Africans Diasporas to invest in their motherland will be provided.

1.6 Research Aim and Objectives

            This research paper works towards identifying the effect posed by the African Diasporas in regards to the development of a country. This is well explained by the fact that the money made overseas is used to invest in their mother countries. This leaves a question of the extent to which those investments impact the development of such African countries. This study aims at achieving the following set of objectives:

•    To investigate the extent to which the Africa Diaspora has contributed to the development of the various countries they originate.

•    To explore the extent to which different countries have incorporated the idea of receiving the support sent in by African living in the Diaspora

•    To evaluate the various challenges as well as hindrances that bar the non-governmental organizations founded by African Diaspora from prospering in their countries of origin.

1.7 Disclaimer

            This research was conducted after the immediate approval by a qualified instructor.  All the information provided in this dissertation has been properly researched thus appearing as the original copyright where all instances regarding plagiarism have been put on the measure. However, not all the mentioned aspects have been exhausted. Likewise, the research process incorporated the use of publications from verified scholars. As a result, the findings of this research study are therefore not to be adopted or influence the process of decision making regarding issues related to the content of this dissertation. The dissertation, therefore, remains a subject of the owner. Therefore, in no instance will the dissertation be up for resale or rented for commercial purposes without prior knowledge of the instructor and researcher.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

            The context of this chapter aims at exploring the theoretical nature related to the indicated research question in Chapter 1 of this dissertation. The sentiments from various scholars will be put to comparison in this section to help determine the course and gather enough information related to the research topic. The first section of this literature review explores the background information regarding Diasporas living in France and the United States of Africa. The background information in this scenario will look at the population of African Diasporas in France and the United States. The last section will compile literature the sheds light on their investments in Africa.

2.2 Background Information on Diasporas Living In France and the United States of America

Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) define the Diaspora as a phenomenon used to define the act of migration. As a result, Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) assert that most African countries inclusive of North Africa and Sub- Saharan Africa record over 30 million international based immigrants. The number does not include unregistered immigrants. Unregistered immigrants exist in foreign lands illegally. This implies that they are subject to facing deportation back to their mother countries. The numbers are alarming thus raising questions on the reasons behind the ever increasing numbers of Africans in the Diasporas.

2.2.1 Why Africans migrate to the Diasporas?

Flahaux and De Haas (2016, p.1-25) report that Africa is viewed as the continent characterized by mass migration and displacement. The two activities experienced in Africa are linked to the high levels of poverty, conflicts as well as environmental stress. However, Flahaux and De Haas (2016, p.1-25) provides that such perceptions about Africa are not yet proved by conducting of empirical researchers. In reference to reports by the Global Bilateral Migration Database, Africa as a continent is experiencing an irregular migration to both Europe and the United States. Consequently, this has raised the attention of the media. Park (2015, p.311-325) explains that the main reason behind this massive immigration in the recent years is linked to African’s fleeing away from poverty,  drought, corruption, political wars and environmental degradation are some of the factors contributing to the current state of poverty in Africa. As a result, Africans free to Europe and the United States in search of the European “El Dorado.” On the other hand, Nakayama (2018) insists that the migration of Africans to Europe via the Maghreb has seen a rise in security problems. International security problems are therefore linked with drug trafficking as well as acts of terrorism. Consequently, this has seen countries like the United States of America come up with measures to curb uncontrolled immigration. Margulies (2018, p.1) reports that the current President of the United States Donald Trump had hinted of deporting immigrants citing an increase in the acts of terrorism. However, this does not imply that Africans have ill intentions while traveling overseas in search of better opportunities. Tangwa (2017, p.129-140) reports that foreign countries have different customs that Africans find challenging to adopt. Besides, the issue of the language barrier is consistent in the sense that Africans lack employment opportunities in the diaspora. This leaves them with no other option but to engage in malicious businesses as a way of making a living.

On the other hand, Czaika and De Haas (2014, p.283-323) argue that there is no direct link between the poverty in Africa and the ever-rising number of immigrants. This is due to the fact that, Africa as a developing continent is constantly facing transitions in aspects related to the economy as well as other demographics. The constant change increases the level of mobility, thus increasing processes such as rural to urban migration. Czaika and De Haas (2014, p.283-323) is emphatic about the fact that modernization in the African countries, coupled with economic development has a strong history as the significant factors that influence rural to urban migration. Modernization, in this case, narrows down to better transport systems thus boosting business. When the level of wealth in the society increases, emigration drops, thus giving rise to immigration. Countries in Africa are slowly transforming from countries of emigration to countries of immigration.

Czaika and De Haas (2014, p.283-323) label the process Africans moving to foreign lands as the globalization of immigration. Compared to the past, Czaika and De Haas (2014, p.283-323) assert that the reasons behind immigration are slowly shifting from seeking better education to technological advances. This is due to the fact that the various advances in technology have seen a drop in the level of resource constraints such as travel and communication. Furthermore, technology has created a link between transitional ties and the immigrants. This makes communication  between the individual and relatives quite efficient. Therefore, aspects related to technological advancements in communication are continually prompting the need to travel overseas. Also, technology has created platforms that help remit money easily to recipients in Africa. Such technological advances contribute to the ever-increasing rate of immigration.

Park (2015, p.311-325) describes that immigration does not occur among people who move from the poorest to the wealthiest country. As earlier mentioned in the context of this paper, both emigration and immigration are influenced by a positive change in economic demographics as well as development. This implies that the different countries in Africa experience different levels of immigration. Middle developing countries such as Kenya and Nigeria experience high rates of immigration. Markedly Park (2015, p.311-325) reports that Europe is one of the countries that has faced alarming rates of immigration since the Second World War. Apart from the refugees from Syria, Africans are constantly moving to Europe, citing the main reason as the search for better economic opportunities such as job vacancies. Cummings et al (2015, p.1-47) assert that the current states of immigrants in parts of Europe such as France have been regarded as an enigma. This is due to the fact that Africans are continually trying to settle in Europe illegally. Over the years, statistical data has been considered irregular and inaccurate citing that a big number of immigrants opt for America over Europe. However, as earlier mentioned in the context of this paper, the current ban imposed by the current United States Donald Trump will see an increase in the number of immigrants in parts of Europe.

What triggers the attention behind the massive immigration is the question regarding the demographic factors that attract Africans to Europe. Cummings et al (2015, p.1-47) explain that most of the cited factors are rather perceptions than facts. Decisions to migrate from Africa are based on personal reasons in regards to factors such as political security and better livelihood opportunities. However, Cummings et al (2015, p.1-47) provide that the motives of an immigrant are bound to change in the course of the journey. As a result, they are then categorized as either economic migrants or asylum-seekers. Hence the motive behind immigration  brings about regular and irregular immigration. In a bid to understand the two forms of immigration, Cummings et al (2015, p.1-47) argue that there is the need to relate them to the current state of technological advancements. This narrows down to the role played by social media platforms, thus playing an integral role in determining the individual, the country of immigration as well as the means to be used. In regards to irregular immigration, Cummings et al (2015, p.1-47) propose that there are a number of factors impacting the decision of an individual. The factors operate based on certain levels such as policies on a national and international level, economic and political situations. The above-mentioned factors influence as to why an individual of a certain nationality can migrate to Europe. Other factors that impact immigration narrow down to the social sphere of the individual both on the local and social platforms as they can encourage or hinder the person from migrating.

Basing our argument on the current status of the world where technological advancement has affected some processes, the social network influences immigration. Theories such as immigration are based on the colonizers in that country colonized by the British have easier access to Europe, such perceptions are long gone thus having some ties broken. The current immigration crisis in Europe emanates from the social and religious networks, especially in countries such as Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt. Cummings et al (2015, p.1-47) explain that social networks contribute to immigration in the sense that families have host members in overseas countries. Consequently, this prompts the prospective immigrants to gain information easily on how to access visas and other privileges to facilitate their travel. Besides, social media platforms are continually creating a link between people, thus hastening the process of immigration based on faking marriage and relationships. Though not stated in the ban by the current president of the United States, blocking Muslim countries from gaining access to America will increase the number of Christina based immigrants. Such factors regarding religion impact or influence Africans to migrate.

On the other hand, Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) define the diaspora as people who have migrated but still maintain a strong connection with their homeland.  As a result, the department in charge of migrants in the United States defines Diasporas as groups that have specific features. The features help define or rather identify the reason for Africans’ migration. The immigration department defines diasporas as dispersion either voluntarily or involuntarily across the various social-cultural boundaries but maintaining one political boundary. Africa is characterized by chaos after the election. This influences the need for immigrating to countries where people can exercise political freedom. Lodigiani and Salomone (2015, p.1-54) explain that migrants, especially women cite foreign countries as platforms to gain political mileage in terms of leadership. Compared to other continents, Hughes and Tripp (2015, p.1513-1540) explain that Africa denies women the chance to progress as well as exercise their leadership skills. As a result, the current crop of educated women view the United States as well as Europe as an epitome of glory and superiority. They seek careers in the international platform while exercising their leadership skills to vie for seats later. This is due to the fact that countries in both Europe and the United States provide opportunities for the learned individual. After being in the diaspora for some time, scholars especially women as explained by Hughes and Tripp (2015, p.1513-1540) use the money to set up investments such as school and training facilities in Africa. The training facilities such as polytechnics help teach skills regarding manual labor as white collar jobs are quite inadequate in Africa.

2.2.2 Major African Diasporas and their benefits

Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) provide  some countries outside the United States and Europe that are slowly becoming major Diasporas thus inhabiting a lot of Africans. Countries such as Italy, Qatar, Spain and the United Arab Emirates as explained by Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) are slowly becoming destinations for the African immigrants.  However, the United States remains to be a major destination as illustrated in Figure 1 below.

Curtin (2018, p.63-94) explains that Africa’s diaspora is made up of 30 million people immigrating from parts of North as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the above figure is based on findings made in 2010 thus leaving a gap of 8 years to date. Besides, the number does not consist of the undocumented migrants children thus boosting the number. The ever-increasing number has seen the current United States President Donald Trump put up measures to curb the entry of immigrants. Other than deporting, the President has done away with the lottery as a way of gaining access to America. Furthermore, the various American embassies have tightened their vetting thus locking out uneducated individuals citing that they join radical groups once they land in America thus making a living out of crime and terrorist acts.

Based on Figure 1, the reported population as per the year 2010 are believed to send more than $40 billion to their families in Africa annually; this implies that the more the number of immigrants, the more a country benefits from the investments set up from their proceeds. However, their skills, as well as capabilities, are exercised in foreign countries. Furthermore, they still spend money while in foreign lands as well as making savings. Consequently, this makes it hard for them to return to their countries of origin. Besides, the mother countries are on the verge of developing transport means such as air travel to facilitate immigrants get to foreign countries. Moreover, African countries are strengthening ties with Europe countries as well as the United States as a way of creating a link to benefit residents.  Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) explain that estimating the size of the diaspora is complicated. This has been necessitated by various demographic factors such as place of birth a common method used in the United States. Moreover, a number of countries classify the children as immigrants based on the origin of the parent regardless of the palace of birth. Consequently, this increases the number of immigrants, leading to various measures such as deportation to curb the rising number. Despite the accuracy of the methods used, the acute number is hard to recognize. The alarming number of 30 million immigrants from Africa as per the year 2010 is reported by Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) to contribute up to $40 million in terms of remittances to countries in Africa. Remittances are described as large amounts of money meant for funding projects.  Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) explains that remittances make up to 30% of the gross domestic product. In other countries such as Cape Verde, Senegal as well as Togo, the remittances account for more than 10% of the gross domestic product. On the other hand, the remittances in Egypt are quite significant as they surpass the amount of revenue generated from the Suez Canal whereas they exceed the revenue from tourism. Remittances as explained by Ajaero, Nzeadibe, Obisie-Nmehielle and Ike (2018, p.40-54).

Plaza and Ratha (2011, p.1-54) explain that the amount of unrecorded cash flows about remittances is quite huge thus spiking the number to more than the reported $40 billion. This is due to the fact that the African Diasporas tend to send more money to their relatives if the country is facing a crisis such as an epidemic, floods among other natural and artificial disasters. As a result, Africa reaps a lot of benefits from remittances as they tend to reduce the rate and severity of poverty. Relatives get  to diversify their various sources of income to an extent they are in a position to generate savings as well as capital meant for investments. Despite the remittances being used for household purposes, they increase the likelihood of Africans gaining access to education and better health services. Consequently, this slows down the death rate by increasing successful births. Nonetheless, due to exposure in the foreign countries, African Diasporas tend to advise their families on the investments they should take. Data as collected by Plaza and Ratha (2016, p.34-54) in conjunction with the organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development state that the investment decisions from the remittances narrow down to agricultural tools. The tools and machinery help in farming as one of the main activities in Africa. Besides, Plaza and Ratha (2016, p.34-54) explain that the money can be used to build rental houses and purchase land. Land appreciates value with time, thus making it a smart investment. Plaza and Ratha (2016, p.34-54) report that such practices are common in countries such as Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal as well as Uganda. The above-named investment decisions are long-term, thus contributing to the government revenue in terms of land rates among other sources of government funds.

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