Harnessing the Potential of the Burundian Diaspora to Reduce Youth Unemployment

Strategic Insights -

In many migrant-sending countries in Africa, the diaspora plays a crucial role in remittances, knowledge transfer, and investment. Burundi is the latest country to tap into the potential of its over half-million nationals residing abroad. A pilot project by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) aims to reduce youth unemployment by leveraging the skills of the Burundian diaspora. The two-year initiative plans to engage 450 youth, the private sector, and the government in developing skills in emerging economic sectors in Burundi.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pilot project is designed to tap into the skills of the Burundian diaspora to reduce youth unemployment, with a focus on emerging economic sectors in Burundi.
  • The project plans to engage 450 youth, the private sector, and the government in developing skills in areas such as computer and office skills, marketing, hospitality, and introducing new technologies.
  • The project will begin with a basic assessment of needs and market research in two targeted provinces in Burundi, as well as a mapping of the Burundian diaspora in two countries.
  • A global support network will be established for beneficiaries through a mentoring program with successful national and international entrepreneurs in Burundi and members of the diaspora population abroad.
  • 12 diaspora trainers with advanced knowledge in business management and other professional fields will return to Burundi to participate in specialized courses, while 20 additional diaspora members will serve as remote mentors through an online platform.
  • The project will also involve key players in consultations with the government to strengthen diaspora involvement in the implementation of Burundi's National Development Plan (2018-2027).

Statistics:

  • Over 500,000 Burundian nationals reside abroad, mostly in the East African Community region, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
  • 12 million citizens in Burundi rely on its agricultural sector for livelihoods, which is increasingly impacted by urban sprawl due to population growth.
  • 450 youth will begin training under the project, with those who choose to start small- and medium-sized enterprises being supported to do so.
  • At least 70 others will be key players in consultations with the government to strengthen diaspora involvement in the implementation of Burundi's National Development Plan.
  • The African Development Bank's Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy aims to create 25 million direct and indirect jobs and equip 50 million youth with employable skills within 10 years (2016-2025).

Sources:

  • International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) pilot project
  • Burundi's National Development Plan (2018-2027)
  • African Development Bank's Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (2016-25)
  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. (2020)