Diaspora Engagement& Bridge Building

The African Union (AU) recognises the African Diaspora as the “Sixth Region” of the continent. The Executive Council of the AU, defines the African Diaspora as follows:

“The African Diaspora consists of peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union.”

The Constitutive Act of the African Union expressly declares that it shall “invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the Continent and the African Union”. This definition comprises both the Non-Continental African Diaspora (the uniquely historical diaspora displaced by Maafa) and the Continental African Diaspora (the respective contemporary diasporas of African Union Member States living outside the Continent).

African Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI) relates to direct investments made by African Diaspora investors who have origins or heritage in the foreign country or region of investment, irrespective of their nationality. The notion of heritage-based African Diaspora investments also applies to the hundreds of millions of African diasporans who are unable to definitely pinpoint their origins to a particular country in Africa. PAC works to their investments in any African country qualifies as DDI.

The Council encourages African countries develop incentives and schemes, backed by policy and legislation, that support the African Diaspora to invest and bring resources to their respective countries. This may include incentive programmes related to facilitating repatriation, residence and the acquisition of national, as well as the provision of grants, co-financing opportunities, and loan guarantees to African Diaspora investors.

African Diaspora Direct Investors may be individuals or diaspora-owned or led business entities. Typical investments tend to include a number of sectors such as manufacturing, technology, real estate, tourism, export sector businesses, creative industries, finance, SMEs, etc.

Through our extensive network of Diaspora investors and Diaspora-based businesses, the Council mobilises capital and resources to support the DDI and foreign direct investment (FDI) objectives of African countries.

The Council works closely with diverse African Diaspora groups and gives particular attention to the unique circumstances of the historical Diaspora. By bringing together established and emerging leaders from across the Diaspora, Council members discuss and advance solutions that empower their communities abroad and bridge access to finance, capital, markets, business skills, training, technology and other critical skills.

The vast and diverse Historical African Diaspora (ranging from African-Americans, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilians to other people of African origin throughout the Americas) has made undeniable cultural and economic impact on the world. Black influence on mainstream and popular culture is ingrained in every facet of life throughout the Americas, including music, fashion and sports, as well as social awareness and justice.

By identifying, understanding, registering and strengthening local Diaspora organisations and civil society organizations (CSOs), PAC serves as focal point for the validation of Diaspora organizations and networks as observers, delegates and participants at AU Summits and other meetings. The Council classifies Diaspora groups in the following general categories:

• Diaspora in Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship
• Diaspora in Politics/Public Office
• Diaspora in Civil Society
• Diaspora in Health, Science, Technology, & Innovation
• Diaspora in Media, Arts, and Culture