Migrants are usually categorized as being under their destination country’s labor force- as the only medium they contribute, and migrants with less interest in politics and the government most times unknowingly become political through remittances. Therefore, how can migrants exercise power through remittances? How can remittances sent by migrants abroad impact democracy and political behavior back home? especially in situations of government transitions, elections, and in the midst of a shrinking civic space across the African continent.
In the past, we have noticed cases where diaspora remittances formed a huge source of empowerment to strengthen local and homegrown activist organizations, supported protests geared towards saving democracies, emboldened local groups to confront democratic anomalies, as well as fuel philanthropies.
It is our believe that migration as a movement of people can influence democratic engagement within countries through financial exchange such as the mechanisms of remittances. Our aim is to push for more conversation on the importance of diaspora remittances to democratic developments in Africa. Our recommendations focus on engaging and educating migrant communities to pay attention to the political and economic dimension of migration, as well as to advocate for democratic and civic engagements through remittances.
Drawing from this contextual backing, Diaspora Africa & IOM Nigeria will host a webinar on International Migrants Day, calling on all relevant stakeholders to explore the possibilities and implications attached to remittances and civic engagement.
Important Details
Date: Wednesday, 18th December, 2024
Time: 2PM WAT
Registration Link
Meet the Speakers
- Moderated by Sefa Ikpa
- François-Xavier Ada – Speaker
- Tope Alabi – Speaker
- Fridah Ntarangwi – Speaker
Sefa Ikpa
Moderator
Sefa Ikpa is a social justice advocate working at the intersection of financial and management models and community well-being across Africa. Over the last 4 years, she has deployed her skills in defending the civic space, promoting inclusive governance processes, and advancing equitable natural resource governance across the continent. Her work combines rigorous research, evidence-based policy advocacy, and direct collaboration with grassroots organisations in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and other African nations. Through her work, Sefa is amplifying marginalised voices, influencing key policy decisions and bridging the gap between high-level governance frameworks and community needs.
François-Xavier Ada
IOM Nigeria
François-Xavier Ada currently leads the Communications and Advocacy Unit of the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) mission in Nigeria. With a focus on empowering vulnerable communities, he has played a vital role in projects aimed at empowering migrants, including displaced persons, rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity. François-Xavier is a graduate of the University of Oxford (African Studies, MSc) and the University of St Andrews (International Security Studies, MLitt). Before joining IOM Nigeria, he worked with the UN in Cambodia, Mauritania, Senegal (IOM Regional Office), and Chad.
Tope Alabi
Afriex
Tope Alabi is the founder of Afriex, a fintech company transforming cross-border money transfers. Afriex serves over 500,000 users across 32 countries, providing fast, affordable, and seamless financial solutions for underserved communities. Through Afriex, he aims to empower communities often excluded by traditional banking systems, enabling greater economic participation for both individuals and businesses.
Fridah Ntarangwi
Zidi Circle
Fridah is an active leader in facilitating the African Diaspora towards entrepreneurship and investments in Europe and Green SMEs development in Africa. She is the Founder of Zidicircle, an organization that facilitates diaspora-led development by activating the entrepreneurial and investing potential of the diaspora through angel investor trainings. She has led Zidicircle into creating 8 diaspora angel investor circles in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. She was recognized by the European Union(EMEN project) for promoting migrant entrepreneurship in Europe, the Duisenberg Woman in Finance award, listed by the municipality of Amsterdam as the top female entrepreneur and listed as a top female entrepreneur in the Netherlands by Sheatwork.