-Diaspora Affairs Office Seeks to Transform Remittances into Long-term Investment, Job Creation, and National Development
MOMBASA, Kenya – Liberia is positioning its global diaspora as a key driver of national development, investment, and economic transformation as the country participates in a high-level international workshop focused on unlocking diaspora investment opportunities across Africa.
The Office of Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Liberia is representing the country at the Diaspora Investment Workshop: Unlocking Corridor Investment Opportunities, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mombasa, Kenya.
Leading the Liberian delegation is Hon. Erasmus T. Williams, Head of the Office of Diaspora Affairs, who joined government officials, diaspora engagement experts, development partners, investors, and private-sector stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to explore innovative approaches for mobilizing diaspora resources to support sustainable development.
The workshop comes at a time when many African governments are increasingly seeking to harness the financial, intellectual, and entrepreneurial contributions of citizens living abroad as a strategy for accelerating economic growth and creating jobs.
From Remittances to Investments
Discussions on the opening day centered on strengthening diaspora investment ecosystems, creating enabling policy environments, and identifying practical tools for channeling diaspora resources into productive sectors of national economies.
Participants examined a range of financing mechanisms, including diaspora bonds, remittance-backed investments, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship support programs, and other innovative financing models designed to unlock the vast economic potential of diaspora communities.
For Liberia, the forum presents an important opportunity to share its own experiences while learning from successful diaspora engagement strategies implemented elsewhere on the continent.
Officials highlighted Liberia’s efforts through initiatives such as the Liberian Diaspora Annual Conference (LDAC) and the Diaspora Annual Return (DAR), both of which have been aimed at strengthening ties between Liberians abroad and their homeland.
The discussions reinforced a growing global recognition that diasporas are more than senders of remittances. They are increasingly viewed as investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and strategic development partners capable of contributing to long-term economic transformation.
Liberia Seeks Stronger Diaspora Engagement
Speaking during the workshop, Hon. Williams underscored Liberia’s commitment to deepening engagement with Liberians living abroad and creating pathways for meaningful participation in investment, trade, skills transfer, and nation-building.
He emphasized that the Government of Liberia is working to move beyond sporadic diaspora engagement activities toward a more structured and sustainable development partnership.
According to Williams, Liberians in the diaspora possess not only financial resources but also valuable expertise, global networks, and entrepreneurial experience that can contribute significantly to national development.
He noted that strengthening these connections could help drive investment, stimulate innovation, and create employment opportunities for young people across the country.
Driving Economic Growth Through Diaspora Capital
The workshop also explored ways governments can develop investment corridors that make it easier for diaspora communities to invest in their countries of origin.
Sessions focused on policy frameworks, private-sector engagement, investment facilitation, and practical tools for mobilizing diaspora capital toward high-impact development projects.
Development experts attending the forum stressed that effective diaspora engagement can generate benefits far beyond remittance flows by supporting infrastructure development, business expansion, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.
For Liberia, these discussions align closely with broader national efforts to attract investment, diversify the economy, and create opportunities for inclusive growth.
Building a Sustainable Development Partnership
As the workshop continues, participants are expected to further examine strategies for strengthening collaboration between governments, diaspora communities, financial institutions, and development partners.
The Office of Diaspora Affairs says it remains committed to advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen the connection between Liberia and its global diaspora while ensuring that diaspora contributions translate into tangible economic benefits.
Officials believe that creating stronger investment pathways for Liberians abroad will not only support economic growth but also contribute to job creation, innovation, and national prosperity.
The participation of Liberia in the Mombasa forum reflects the government’s growing recognition that the country’s diaspora represents one of its most valuable development assets and a critical partner in achieving long-term national transformation.
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