There has been a misconception (largely given credence by images of a large number of young African migrants drowning in the Mediterranean Sea) that most migration is directed towards Europe. They say they are a burden to the host countries, take away jobs from nationals by providing cheap labour and generally, immigration is a loss to the continent because of the massive brain drain as people seek greener pastures. All those myths have been debunked by the 2018 Economic Development in Africa Report published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that was released in Kigali this week. It appears that most migration is positively intra- African and “a catalyst for economic growth through the income and revenue it generates and the taxes that migrants pay” and helped increase $ 2,000 GDP per capita in 2016 which is projected to increase to 3,250 by 2030. Actually the “Brain drain” is a vital “brain gain” through transfer of knowledge and the migrants are key cogs in their respective countries’ economy through remittances. The Rwandan Diaspora is one good example and that is why the government does all to keep them close. The annual Rwanda Day it organizes has led to many investing in their country, transferring knowledge and reconnecting with their motherland, many having been away for decades. Many come back with new technologies and innovative ideas. Our ancestors recognized the importance of migration with the popular saying in Kinyarwanda that goes; “Akanyoni katagurutse ntikamenya aho bwera,” meaning ; A bird that does not fly cannot know where the millet is plenty. Our priority should be luring back all those young brains, they have seen the millet, have harvested it and their country is in dire need of the seed.
