The Main Causes Of Brain Drain From Africa To The West

Africa, we know, is the cradle of civilization and a major contributor to industrialization due to its abundance of natural resources. It makes up 17% of the world’s population, with a large percentage of the labor force, but till today, development in the region is seemingly far-fetched. 

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This swells people’s minds with questions: how can a continent known to be the cradle of civilization and packs a large number of labor forces still lag in development in 2022?

One of the major causes of this underdevelopment of Africa as a continent point to the tide of Brian Drain – the millions of young Africans who have abandoned the continent to seek fortune overseas. This trend has been tagged the bane of Africa’s development.

This article looked closely at the causes of brain drain from Africa to the West. In the end, let us know in the comment section, what we might have missed.

What is Brain drain?

Brain drain is the mass migration of talented and skilled professionals from country A to country B. The rate Africans migrate from their home countries is quite alarming and needs urgent attention.

The African Union estimates that the continent loses about 70,000 of its skilled professionals to emigration every year. And these competent individuals are what Africa desperately needs to grow its economy, science, and technology. Africa needs these young people to instigate a development in the continent so they can compete in the world.

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These migrating professionals in the medical field and engineering, to mention a few, leave their home countries for countries of the West, thereby leading to a substantial increase in their labor force and expertise. The exodus of talented Africans cultivates the crippling economy of most African states; however, the causes are not far-fetched.

Here are a few causes of brain drain in Africa.

Suppression of democracy.

In Africa, democracy is just a facade. Yes, there are stringent claims that Africa practices democracy, but in actuality, democracy is not practicalized.

Most African governments pent-up human rights, negating individuals’ full exercise of their rights. At some point, the government entirely becomes dictatorial- this occurred in Gambia during the reign of Yahya Jammeh, who introduced press censorship and killed those vying to migrate from the country.

During his reign, the vast majority of Gambians fled to the West’s countries in quest of safety and where freedom of expression is allowed. Countries like Zambia witnessed similar dictatorial governments, which stirred the exodus of the majority of professionals from the country.

Lack of job opportunities.

This has been the major travails faced by thousands of educated Africans. Nigeria alone produces thousands of fresh graduates annually who vies the few job opportunities, if at all.

Due to this pervasiveness, the rate of unemployed vibrant Nigerians piles up, warranting individuals with the requisite skills venturing into meager jobs like taxi driving, cleaning, etc., whereas others with better opportunities flee the country in search of greener pastures in counties of the West.

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It’s not a gainsaying that fleeing the country serves as a pass to evade poverty even though starting anew in western countries takes a toll.

However, those who managed to procure jobs get underpaid, and their salary remains static.

Corruption And Embezzlement.

In Africa, corruption and embezzlement of public funds by those in the corridors of power have become a norm.

The government doesn’t do things to favor the nationals; instead, they covet to satiate their pockets with public funds. During an election, aspirants read manifestos promising to shape their country to become better, but once the mantle of leadership is transferred to them, those promises and manifestos become null.

They do nothing to infuse growth in all sectors leading to the escalation of crime. It happens that to acquire a job in most African states, like Nigeria, the person needs to have connections with a top official. However, in cases where a job seeker has no connection, acquiring jobs becomes a mirage.

This leads to filling up an available work position with incompetent individuals, whereas those with professional skills roam the street jobless.

As a result, many vibrant and talented Africans sought to leave their home countries for the West, where they have a beacon of hope to actualize their dreams.

Poor Education Standard.

The system of education in Africa deteriorates every day. Some lecturers and teachers in the educational field are not qualified enough or lack the wherewithal to teach students.

Take Nigeria, for example, the university lecturers always embark on strikes halting educational processes, which extends the number of years expected to finish a particular course.

Now, considering this backlash in the educational system in most African states, parents and guardians endeavor to send their children and siblings to western countries to acquire better education.

Nonetheless, most individuals who migrate from their countries to attain better education never return after graduation.

Lack of Infrastructure And Poor Working Conditions.

Africa lacks quality infrastructures and a conducive working environment, which spurs competent and talented Africans to flee to western countries with better and favorable working conditions.

Some hospitals in Africa lack good health facilities that professionals in the medical field could use to administer treatments.

The manufacturing companies too?

Equally lacks facilities used for production. Lack of electricity adds to the lapses small-scale producing factories encounter.

More so, the lack of incentives mounts as to why professionals migrate to Europe and America. Everybody loves good working conditions, so you won’t blame Africans looking for better working conditions.

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Terrorism.

Africa has been the center of terrorist attacks over the years. Different terrorist groups like Tunisian Combatant groups, lords residents’ army, Boko haram, and herdsmen incite havoc in various African states, leading to loss of lives and a high rate of insecurity.

As a result, many Africans flee to western countries for safety. Africa has lost top professionals in different fields due to this increased terrorism in Africa.

Conclusion.

Brain drain has indeed robbed Africa of its skilled individuals. And the resultant effect of this is the crippling economy African states encounter, coupled with the reduction in technological advancements.

To stem the tide of this brain drain in the African continent, governments have to create vast job opportunities, improve the system of education, provide social amenities that will enhance the standard of living, and many other things that will mitigate the constant flight of talented Africans western countries.

Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.