Beyond Family Remittances: Assessing the Prospects of Alternative Approaches to “Remittances for Development” in Africa

Abstract

This article examines the remittance patterns of Cameroonians residing in Aarhus, Denmark and discusses the findings in relation to those from earlier studies on migrants' remittances. Based on analyses of the inclination of these Cameroonians to support development projects in Cameroon, it is argued that a strengthened partnership between local non-state actors in Cameroon and the Cameroonian diaspora will significantly improve the role remittances can play in the country's development. The article also highlights the framework, benefits and challenges of such potential partnership and suggests ways in which remittances from the Cameroonian diaspora in particular and African migrants in general, could be effectively channelled beyond migrants' families to further the continent's development drive.

The brain drain of health care professionals from sub-Saharan Africa: A geographic perspective

“…There are positive and negative effects of the brain drain on Africa's development at the individual and national levels. Vast literature that assesses the impact of international migration on economic development in Africa with regard to remittances exists (Bracking and Sachikonye, 2010;Buch and Kuckulenz, 2010;Gundel, 2002;Mazzucato et al, 2008;Ngomba, 2012;Nyberg-Sørensen et al, 2002;Olesen, 2002). Nyberg-Sørensen et al (2002) offers an exhaustive literature review on the positive and negative impacts of migration on local development.…”

Trust and Hometown Associations in Haitian Post‐Earthquake Reconstruction

“…Based on our findings, this study offers recommendations to governments, international organizations, and civil society to improve on effectively harnessing the potential of HHTAs and other d y aspora organizations moving forward. HHTAs need to move beyond the small scope of traditional family remittances and capitalize on the potential of collective remittances for alter(ed)native development strategies that prioritize project scalability, durability and viability of projects on a systematic and coordinated manner regionally and nationally (Ngomba, ). In keeping with our conceptual framework, we break down these recommendations into sub‐sections based on stakeholder relationship pairings.…”

“…Thus, hometown associations sustain local community development in migrants' sending and receiving countries. Dyaspora engagement, especially the use of collective remittances for homeland development, is increasingly researched as an alternative or complementary development strategy to the status quo (Esnard & Sapat, 2016;Felix, 2010;Lamba-Nieves, 2014;MacLaren, 2010;Mullings, 2011;Newland, 2010;Orozco, 2006aOrozco, , 2006bOrozco, , 2010Wah, 2013;Wah, 2001;Z ephirin, 2014).…”