Learnings
A big element of this discovery journey is the learnings achieved and how we best can share them with others interested in these topics. The learning process consists of several verticals from country specific learnings to learnings acquired when building the technical platform or mobilizing diaspora investors.
Learning areas during the inception phase:
While implementing the Diaspora Investment Program we have come across many opportunities for further exploration and innovation within diaspora investments. The video describes the main learnings identified during the inception phase.
Opportunity areas for further development:
Our mission is to share our learning in a simple but descriptive way and have created short videos to achieve this. Each video describes the main opportunity areas that we have identified during the inception phase
Findings/learnings - Mapping report
- Diaspora communities are not homogeneous as they come from different countries across Africa. We must understand the different needs of diverse groups to communicate while leveraging the common denominator of them wanting to be part of creating an impact on the African continent
- Ethiopia's diaspora communities are heavily patriotic and driven by a nation-building agenda connected to their country of heritage.
- Somalia’s investment legislation is reflective of efforts to encourage foreign investment into the country. The National Investment Promotion Strategy illustrates the government’s coordinated roadmap towards transforming Somalia’s investment image and will be targeting the diaspora with an outreach programme.
- Due to heavy government regulation on the foreign outflow, there is a need to ensure any initiative has a long-term agenda and potential exit options for the investors.
- It is imperative to build trust while engaging with the diaspora. Several survey respondents were not comfortable with sharing investment information and preferences
- Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, as much as has different context, the difference can be used as cross-learning opportunities to accelerate advancement of the initiative in all the countries
