Around three million or more Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin are believed to be residing in foreign countries. Directly or indirectly, through the remittances which they are sending to their families at home, these large Ethiopian Diaspora communities have so far been playing their part in boosting the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.
Capitalizing on the ongoing sweeping reform in the country, the Ethiopian government more recently has opened up banking sector for its Diaspora aiming at encouraging and attracting many more Diaspora in the nation’s various golden investment opportunities.
Moreover, the Diaspora engagement policies that were issued two years ago have been put into place in a bid to bring about everlasting and strong social and economic ties between the Diaspora communities and their homeland in an organized manner more than ever.
Indeed, with ever increasing international money transfer agents in the country, the amount of remittance income has been steadily increasing for obvious reasons lately. Unlike ten year backs or more, there are a huge number of Diaspora investors mostly in the service provision sector.
Now, thanks to allowing the Diaspora to participate in the financial sector, enormous members of Ethiopian Diaspora are showing great interests in investing here in their homeland than ever before. This great news will get the required momentum and benefit to the nation when the Diaspora engagement policies are only used effectively with a view to safeguarding the interests of both the nation and members of the Diaspora.
It is true that a sizeable number of Diaspora who have in depth knowledge of various field of studies, rich experiences and skills are often seen coming to their homeland and offering training as well as giving lectures to their fellow countrymen and women for free. This good gesture and noble deed of the Diaspora must be appreciated and encouraged as the saying goes give credit where credit is due.
In sum, it is high time for harnessing Diaspora resources for development and engaging Diaspora effectively in the finance sector of the country.
The medemer concept of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the emerging foreign policy of the country assign special roles for Ethiopians living abroad in shaping Ethiopia’s destiny. Prior to that, however, they also advocate that their wellbeing, honor and pride be ensured wherever they live.
That is a fundamental step taken by the reformist government. The concept is very simple: Ethiopians living abroad first should feel proud of their nation before they are called for rendering any sort of supports.
The changes made over the last one year testify to the worthiness of the reform concept. The diaspora can unleash its resource unreservedly for the benefits of this nation as long as the government continues to let them do that as a source of their own pride!
The Ethiopian Herald November 26/2019
