What role for the diaspora in the new Africa-France relationship?
French President Emmanuel Macron surrounded by young Africans at the Africa-France summit in Montpellier, October 8, 2021. AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN
Text by: Christina Okello
3 min
They are French, binational and dynamic.
They move Africa, and perhaps political lines as well.
The diaspora, highlighted at the last Africa-France summit, is at the heart of Paris' strategy to reinvent its link with the continent.
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Play the role of ambassador on the continent? No problem for Matina Razafimahefa. This co-founder of the first digital school in Madagascar was one of the 3,000 invited
to the Africa-France summit which took place in Montpellier
. She believes that the diaspora can act as a relay between Paris and the continent. "
She can develop her country of origin while remaining in France,
" the young Franco-Malagasy told RFI. “
When they return home, the diaspora can show how it is in Europe and help achieve international standards. All this transfer of skills seems important to me.
"
President Emmanuel Macron
reiterated it in Montpellier: the diasporas “
bring alive
” this new relationship between France and Africa and are “
totally French
”, he insisted.
Some saw it as the speech of a president at the start of the campaign.
"
There are some diasporas who are skeptical, they have the impression of having fallen into a trap
", estimates Roland Portella, president of the economic club Coordination for Africa of Tomorrow (Cade).
“
We need these diasporas
,” he adds, “
to play politics, to make a semblance of productive investment, but in the end, where there are really pockets of growth, pockets of wealth. , these diasporas are not there
.
"
The same goes for Dogad Dogoui, president of the support platform for SMEs, Africa SMB Forum, who asks for more recognition.
“
The African diaspora in France is French
,” he said, “
so it plays in the interests of its country.
On the other hand, she has African origins, so she wants to have a balanced approach.
It cannot be only in the words, it must be visible in the structuring, in the appointments.
"
Take the first place
At the end of the summit on Friday, Emmanuel Macron announced the creation of a house of African worlds and diasporas in the heart of Paris.
He also recognized that there was a need to appoint more people from the diasporas in the administration.
Dogad Dogoui is also asking for action.
“
Involve the diaspora when you go to markets in Africa.
Involve the diaspora in discussions with French interests and African interests, it must be fully in the game and not be on the jump seats,
”asserts the Franco-Ivorian.
And to add: “
It means that it has the first place because they are the ones who will be able to manage, open the doors for the French economy of tomorrow.
"
Brakes
It is still necessary that it has the means. “
If these diasporas do not have a vehicle on their own or investment infrastructure, what can they do
?
“Asks Roland Portella de la Cade. The leader points out that the diasporas of French-speaking countries are not yet performing socially and technically when they go to their country of origin. “
In English
-
speaking African countries,” he
explains,
“things are moving a lot more. There are very high level entrepreneurs and a qualified demand, whether it is Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or Tanzania.
"
To support entrepreneurship, France unveiled a fund of 10 million euros to help innovative African companies in the digital sector.
"
We see that there is a desire to change things,
" recognizes Matina Razafimahefa, who appreciated the exchanges between African and French companies.
“
After that, we have to succeed in doing it and we have to push the collaboration further,
” concludes the co-founder of Sayna.
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