The 10th Annual Kenya Diaspora Homecoming Convention, held from December 6–8, 2023, has wrapped up with resounding success, shedding light on the indispensable role of the global African Diaspora in propelling Kenya’s economic future.
The convention, a gathering of over 1,000 in-person participants and a global virtual audience, showcased the diverse talent dispersed among the 210 million diaspora members worldwide. These individuals, excelling in various industries and professions globally, bring invaluable human capital to contribute to both short- and long-term development goals in Africa.
The Principal Pecretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roselyn Njogu, affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing diaspora concerns and ensuring their well-being as Kenyan citizens.
The event garnered broad support from local and international dignitaries, business leaders, and corporations. Featuring more than 50 exhibitors, including WIDU grantees, the convention became a platform for insightful discussions led by seasoned business leaders, KDA Global Chair Dr. Shem Ochuodho, and industry experts.
Dr. Ochuodho expressed optimism, highlighting the convention as proof of the diaspora’s support and its potential to significantly benefit the Kenyan economy.
A notable aspect of the convention was the growing recognition of the diaspora as a valuable asset. Many African countries are opening their doors to this resource, evident through substantial family contributions via regular remittances, surpassing financial assistance from Western and Eastern sources combined.
In a thought-provoking speech titled ‘Why Africa Why Kenya,’ American Ambassador Meg Whitman emphasized Kenya’s abundant resources and strategic positioning as a key player in becoming an international economic powerhouse.
Ethiopia’s Deputy Director General, Mr. Mohammed Endris, emphasized the unifying bond of pan-Africanism between Kenyans and Ethiopians, urging collaboration in exploiting Africa’s vast resources for the collective good.
The convention’s “Deal Room” facilitated meaningful connections between diaspora businesses and Kenyan entrepreneurs. Key discussions included Solid Waste Management for counties, cold storage solutions to reduce post-harvest losses, and financing for real estate development contributing to affordable housing projects.
Recognising the diaspora’s pivotal role in Africa’s economic soundness and human development, the convention underscored substantial contributions from the America-based diaspora, both individually and through taxpayer-funded grants and non-profit donations. Real estate development, buoyed by diaspora purchasers seeking retirement residences, is on the rise, bringing in millions of dollars in retirement income as the American population ages.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a 25-year-old trade agreement with the USA, holds significant promise for supporting the Kenyan economy through reduced tariffs on exports and job creation.
The convention emphasized the importance of involving the diaspora as trading partners in the US marketplace to maximize AGOA’s benefits.
Additionally, the “Prosper Africa” program, coordinated by fourteen US government agencies, aims to assist Africa’s economic growth, with future KDA programs focusing on deepening diaspora trade and investment.
By Hamdi Buthul