African Diaspora Remittances are Better than Foreign Aid Funds: Diaspora-driven development in the 21st century

Adams Bodomo

Published: December 2013

In this article, two sources of socio-economic development finance for Africa, African Diaspora remittance funds and Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funds, are compared. It is argued that Diaspora remittance funds constitute a better alternative to ODA funds for the development of Africa for a number of reasons. Not only have Diaspora remittance funds outpaced ODA funds, but they are more efficiently deployed for the development of the African continent in three main ways. The funds are less likely to be misspent as compared to the misappropriations and legendary inefficiencies in the foreign aid industry. Diaspora remittance funds, as gifts of love, are better focused on building the family and hence the nation. The distribution of these Diaspora remittance funds is far more efficient than ODA funds since these monies go directly to paying school fees, building houses and growing businesses. Some proposals are made to indicate how African governments can facilitate more remittance funds over and above ODA funds.