East African Nations have been urged to adopt a coordinated regional approach to harness the full potential of their growing diaspora communities amidst surging remittances and increasing involvement in regional development.
The proposed diaspora policy would align efforts to tap into the diaspora’s skills, capital, and influence, promoting regional integration and sustainable development.
During a meeting with East African diaspora consultant Hannibal Wandiba on the 4th of April 2025, Uganda’s Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi said:
“Ugandans living abroad bring in about $1.7 billion annually — roughly 5.2% of our GDP. Kenya receives $4.2 billion, Rwanda $0.5 billion, and Tanzania $0.7 billion. This is not just money; it is a testament to our diaspora’s deep connection to the region’s economic and political evolution.”
Ambassador Walusimbi affirmed Uganda’s commitment to collaborate with stakeholders — including the EAC Secretariat, the International Organization for Migration, and ministries of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Labour to drive the policy’s development. He added that:
“The diaspora’s contributions are invaluable, but we must ensure their voices are heard in regional dialogues and their welfare safeguarded through strategic and diplomatic interventions.”
Mr. Wandiba is spearheading efforts to craft the policy, which aims to integrate diaspora communities more strategically into the East African Community (EAC) development agenda. On his part he said that:
“The diaspora remittances power regional economies, their investments propel growth, and their insights drive progress. Their unmatched talents fuel innovation. Together, we can leverage their connections for progress and unity.”
The discussion focused on formulating a regional diaspora policy to ensure better coordination, improved social protections, and stronger engagement with East Africans abroad.
According to regional data from 2023/2024, diaspora remittances to Uganda grew by 15% to $1.4 billion, Rwanda by 9.3% to $0.5 billion, Kenya by 2.6% to $4.2 billion, and Tanzania by 4% to $0.7 billion — highlighting the critical economic role played by citizens abroad.
Source: Monitor