Overcoming African Brain Drain Through Agribusiness: The Role of the Diaspora
Have you ever wondered why Africa, with its vast arable land, rich agricultural traditions, and an abundance of natural resources, is still grappling with food insecurity and unemployment? Why, despite these immense opportunities, are millions of African youths migrating abroad in search of better prospects? The answers lie in a powerful shift that’s already beginning, one where you, as a member of the African diaspora, could be the game-changer.
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Imagine a scenario where Africans abroad use their skills, expertise, and financial capital to tap into the continent’s agricultural potential, not just for personal profit, but to solve pressing issues like food insecurity and job creation.
Could you be part of that transformation? The African diaspora holds the key to unlocking the agricultural sector’s vast potential and helping Africa feed itself, create jobs, and build a sustainable future. And the catalyst for this change? Agribusiness.
As the world grows more interconnected, the diaspora, Africans living abroad, has a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Africa’s agricultural potential and its economic needs.
The role of the diaspora in African agribusiness is not just about sending remittances home or providing philanthropic aid. It is about collaboration, creating business opportunities, and investing in Africa’s future.
See also Investing in Small and Medium-Scale Farming: A Sustainable Pathway to Economic Growth in Nigeria
A perfect example of this vision is Obehi Ewanfoh, a writer, storyteller, and passionate advocate for African agricultural potential. Born in Uromi, Esan, Nigeria, Obehi’s life journey demonstrates how returning expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit can unlock Africa’s agribusiness potential and turn agricultural challenges into profitable ventures.
The African Brain Drain: A Missed Opportunity for Agribusiness
The so-called “brain drain” from Africa has long been a pressing issue, with millions of highly skilled professionals leaving the continent in search of better opportunities.
In an article on CNBC Africa, it was revealed that 34 million Africans currently live outside their home countries, with more than 55% residing within the continent. By 2050, the African diaspora is expected to grow threefold, reaching an estimated 100 million people.
This growth presents a significant opportunity, especially if African countries can achieve the good governance necessary for sustained economic development. By that time, it’s projected that around 70 million of the diaspora will reside within Africa.
Early trends suggest that this shift is already beginning: a thriving Nigerian diaspora is emerging in Ghana, while Kenya is seeing a growing Ugandan community. Countries like Ivory Coast and South Africa, which already host large numbers of migrants from across Africa, are set to experience even further population increases.
This movement within the continent presents a crucial yet often overlooked opportunity: the chance to reverse Africa’s brain drain by turning it into a brain gain—particularly in the agribusiness sector.
Rather than simply migrating for better economic opportunities abroad, the African diaspora has the potential to be a driving force for agricultural innovation, knowledge exchange, and investment back home.
Unfortunately, this opportunity is often missed, as many diaspora members are not sufficiently engaged with the continent’s agribusiness potential.
The point is if properly harnessed, the expertise and resources of the diaspora could play a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape, addressing food insecurity, and stimulating economic growth across the continent.
There is no denial that the migration of skilled labor has significantly affected Africa’s key sectors, including agriculture. Africa is home to more than 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet it remains a net importer of food, with the continent spending billions annually on food imports.
This paradox stems from a lack of investment in agriculture, low productivity, poor infrastructure, and underdeveloped value chains.
The potential for agribusiness in Africa is immense. Nigeria, for instance, remains one of the largest producers of cassava, yams (61.2 metric tons of yams in 2022), and palm oil. These resources are underutilized due to insufficient processing, poor storage systems, and limited export capacity.
With many African countries still dependent on subsistence farming, the agricultural sector is ripe for transformation through agribusiness, especially with the involvement of the diaspora.
Obehi Ewanfoh: A Catalyst for Diaspora Engagement in Agribusiness
Obehi Ewanfoh’s journey from Nigeria to Italy in 2004 shows the power of the African diaspora in influencing positive change in Africa. Growing up in the agricultural heartland of Esan, Nigeria, Obehi’s early experiences with the land shaped his deep connection to agriculture.
Through his books and documentaries, such as “Still Owing Me Goodbye” and “Amende – The Stream Water,” Obehi not only captures the agricultural traditions of his people but also advocates for a sustainable agribusiness model that embraces modern technology, collaboration, and education.
In his work, Obehi frequently highlights the cultural significance of agriculture in African societies. For example, the Esan people’s annual new yam festival is not just a celebration of the harvest but a symbol of the deep relationship between the people and the land.
Obehi’s storytelling masteries help connect the diaspora to Africa’s roots, emphasizing that the continent’s agricultural potential is both a cultural heritage and an untapped economic resource.
As the host of The Obehi Podcast, Obehi continues to inspire a global audience by discussing agribusiness, food security, and the role of the diaspora in African economic growth.
He advocates for the empowerment of local farmers, collaboration among diaspora entrepreneurs, and sustainable investment in Africa’s agricultural value chains.
Through his advocacy, Obehi paints a compelling picture: a future where African entrepreneurs, both at home and abroad can collaborate to solve Africa’s food insecurity crisis, create jobs, and ultimately reshape the economic landscape.
Africa’s Agricultural Potential: A Goldmine Waiting to Be Tapped
Africa is often referred to as the “food basket of the world,” yet it remains a net importer of food. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), agriculture represents a major opportunity for economic transformation in Africa, with the sector potentially contributing $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030 if properly harnessed.
This growth would be driven by increased investment, better infrastructure, and improved agricultural productivity.
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in transforming the continent’s agricultural sector. With a population of over 230 million people and a young workforce, the country faces a growing demand for food products.
Nigeria’s agricultural landscape is highly diversified, with crops like cassava, yams, maize, sorghum, and tomatoes as well as animal husbandry.
However, much of this potential remains untapped due to outdated farming practices, inefficient value chains, and lack of access to capital and markets.
The Nigerian government has acknowledged the need to transform the agricultural sector, recently investing in initiatives such as the Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP) to support smallholder farmers.
What is The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme?
The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) is a Nigerian government initiative introduced in 2015 to support smallholder farmers by connecting them with large companies (called anchor companies).
Through this program, farmers receive low-interest loans and essential farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and tools.
The aim of the programme is to boost the production of key agricultural crops, improve food security, and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports, ultimately helping stabilize the agricultural sector and ensure a steady supply of raw materials for food processors.
But the true transformation will come when diaspora entrepreneurs, with their global networks, financial resources, and expertise, engage with local farmers and agribusinesses.
The Role of the Diaspora: A Powerful Force for Agricultural Transformation
The African diaspora represents a significant untapped resource in the global quest to modernize and expand Africa’s agribusiness sector. Diaspora entrepreneurs bring with them a wealth of experience, global perspectives, and access to international markets.
With Africa facing challenges such as rising unemployment, youth migration, and food insecurity, the diaspora has a critical role to play in solving these problems.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 emphasizes the importance of diaspora engagement in driving Africa’s economic transformation. A 2019 World Bank report indicated that remittances from the African diaspora contribute significantly to African economies, with sub-Saharan Africa receiving over $46 billion in remittances in 2018 alone.
While remittances are important, the diaspora’s potential to invest in businesses, especially agribusinesses, could have an even more transformative impact.
In agribusiness, the diaspora can engage in a variety of sectors, including:
- Agricultural Technology: Investing in technologies that increase yield, reduce waste, and improve food preservation.
- Processing and Value-Added Products: Expanding into the processing of raw agricultural products such as cassava into flour, or palm oil into packaged goods for export.
- Supply Chain and Logistics: Building infrastructure for storage, transportation, and distribution to connect farmers with consumers.
- Export Markets: Leveraging global networks to market African agricultural products worldwide.
Cassava, which is a staple crop in Nigeria, has immense untapped potential for processing into flour, chips, and other value-added products.
Diaspora entrepreneurs who have leveraged their international business acumen and resources have begun to build processing plants and distribution networks in Nigeria, transforming the local cassava sector into a global business.
Collaboration is Key: Building Business Bridges Among the Diasporas
A crucial aspect of diaspora-driven agribusiness is collaboration. African entrepreneurs in the diaspora have access to valuable networks, financial capital, and international business expertise, which can be shared with local African farmers and agribusinesses.
However, collaboration goes both ways. African farmers and local entrepreneurs in Africa possess critical knowledge of the land, traditional farming techniques, and local markets.
By coming together, diaspora entrepreneurs and local farmers can form mutually beneficial partnerships that drive innovation, improve productivity, and open new markets.
For example, diaspora entrepreneurs can provide funding and mentorship, while local farmers can offer insights into regional agricultural challenges and opportunities. Additionally, joint ventures could lead to better access to government support programs, private investments, and international markets.
Overcoming Challenges: Navigating the Road to Agribusiness Success
While the potential for diaspora-driven agribusiness is enormous, there are challenges that must be overcome. These include:
- Regulatory Barriers: Complex and inconsistent policies in African countries can make it difficult for diaspora entrepreneurs to invest in agribusinesses.
- Access to Finance: Many smallholder farmers and local entrepreneurs in Africa struggle to secure financing, which limits their ability to scale up their businesses.
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Poor transportation networks, unreliable electricity, and inadequate storage facilities can hinder agricultural development.
These challenges, however, are not insurmountable. By working closely with local governments, international development agencies, and private investors, the diaspora can help shape policies that promote agribusiness growth.
Also, diaspora-driven agribusiness ventures can attract the much-needed investments to address infrastructure gaps, enabling farmers to access better markets, improve efficiency, and boost profitability.
Conclusion: Investing in Africa’s Agricultural Future
The future of Africa’s agricultural sector lies in the hands of both local farmers and diaspora entrepreneurs.
By focusing on collaboration, leveraging their networks, and investing in sustainable agribusiness models, the African diaspora has the opportunity to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance food security across the continent.
As Obehi Ewanfoh so passionately advocates, the African diaspora is not just an economic resource; it is a powerful force for change. With an unwavering commitment to empowering African farmers, entrepreneurs, and communities, the diaspora can be the catalyst for Africa’s agricultural renaissance.
The time to act is now. The continent’s potential is waiting to be unlocked. Are you ready to be a part of Africa’s agribusiness transformation?
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
