Economic Development: Africans In Diaspora To Converge On Abuja

Abuja, the Nigerian capital, will host Africans in Diaspora to boost partnership and create more platforms for Africans in the Diaspora to harness the rich potential of the continent to develop its people.

This will be the crux of the 2nd Global African Diaspora Symposium which is scheduled to hold between April 27th and 28th 2023 in Abuja.

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM)Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the theme of the symposium “Building Stronger Connections between Africa and the Global Diaspora” will attract no fewer than 3,000 individuals of African descent, worldwide that will participate in the  dialogue.

The Symposium will focus on key areas in science and technology, agriculture, manufacturing & industry, energy, infrastructure development, tourism and culture, green energy & technology, health, Information Communication Technology, education, finance, and economic development.

Dabiri-Erewa told a joint world press conference in Abuja recently that the objective of the symposium is to proffer workable solutions to Africa’s development issues.

She said, “The United Nations 2022 statistics on Africa puts the continent’s population at 1,408,261,290 in the third quarter of the year. This is about 16.7 percent of the world’s population, making it the second largest continent of the world.

“The African Diaspora in all fields has proven internationally that Africans are a talented, vibrant and competent people. In various sectors or fields of endeavours, there always will be a name or two mentioned that is an African, or of African origin.

“This is why the onus lies on us Africans- home and the diaspora to rewrite the narrative for a progressive Africa.

“It is hoped that moving on the Pan-African spirit will be felt amongst all Africans. There will be more tailor-made and pragmatic solutions to Africa’s political and socio-economic challenges.

“Again, with the event comes a retelling of Africa to project the good news of our land and people.”

The Director General, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, (DTCA) Amb. Rabiu Dagari said during the conference that the event would bring about a better network among Africans.

“We are happy about this event as it would bring together and network all Africans across the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, GADS Abuja 2023 said, “Going by the theme of the symposium”Building Stronger Connections between Africa and the Global Diaspora” it is expected that at the end of the two day symposium, the set objectives of the symposium must have been achieved, hoping that moving on, the Pan-African spirit will be felt amongst all Africans, paving way for great networking among African and other Diaspora all over the world.”