Diaspora Engagement: West, Central Africa Strengthen Ties

The second edition of the Regional Workshop for West and Central African Countries on Migratory Policies (CRPM2) opened in Yaounde on June 11, 2025 at the Ministry of External relations. It regrouped Diaspora and Migration associations from the six member countries (Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Madagascar, Guinea, Comoros, Senegal) and officials from the Department of Cameroonians Abroad, Foreigners in Cameroon, Refugees and Migratory issues. The work session was opened by the Inspector General in charge of Consular Affairs in the Ministry of External Relations, Stanislas Oyono on behalf of the External Relations Minister. In effect, the Heads of Delegations from the six member countries and a visiting delegation from Benin will hold discussions for the next three days (June 11-13, 2025) on the theme “Mobilisation of Diaspora savings for the socio-economic development of African countries.” With support from Expertise France, the participants will discuss on ways to attract more investments from members of the diaspora to develop their home countries. This year’s edition will reflect and come up with proposals for their various countries on how diaspora savings can be injected into the economy. The Project Head for CRPM2, Bamadi Sanokho said “the goal is indeed to create this platform for discussion between the sister organisation across these six countries, with a strong diaspora presence.” Diaspora savings refer to the portion of income that individuals living abroad set aside and do not spend immediately be it individually or in associations. These savings, often sent home as remittances or kept in foreign accounts, represent a significant source of potential investment for countries of origin. When pr...