- Dabiri-Erewa Advocates Diaspora Investment in Africa’s Future
- Says diaspora Is Africa’s Brain Gain, Not Brain Drain
- Encouraged diaspora professionals to intentionally mentor young Africans, create employment opportunities and invest in emerging entrepreneurs
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on Africans living abroad to play a greater role in connecting the continent to global opportunities through innovation, investment and knowledge transfer
Eko Hot Blog reports that Dabiri-Erewa made the appeal while speaking as a special guest at the 2026 Black Engineering Week held in San Jose, California, United States, where the theme focused on “Africans in Diaspora as Bridge Builders.”
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According to a statement issued by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the NiDCOM boss challenged African engineers, entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders in the diaspora to use their skills, influence and resources to contribute to Africa’s development .
Addressing participants, she urged them not to see themselves as people who had left the continent behind but as individuals uniquely positioned to connect Africa with global opportunities
“You left the continent. But you never really left. You live in two worlds and refuse to choose. You connect them. That is engineering at its highest level,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa rejected the long-standing narrative of brain drain, insisting that Africans in the diaspora represent brain gain and brain circulation, as they continue to make significant contributions to global technological advancement while opening doors for development back home.
She identified talent, capital and credibility as three major areas where Africans abroad are making remarkable impact.
The NiDCOM chairman noted that although Black and African professionals remain underrepresented in Silicon Valley, many are actively developing technologies shaping the future.
She disclosed that NiDCOM is partnering with state governments and diaspora organisations on initiatives aimed at verifying Nigerian talent, expanding remote work opportunities and connecting skilled Nigerians with international employers.
On economic development, Dabiri-Erewa described diaspora remittances as a powerful resource that could drive industrialisation, entrepreneurship, climate technology and venture capital if channelled into productive investments.
She also stressed that Nigerians and other Africans occupying leadership positions in global technology companies are helping to strengthen Africa’s image while inspiring young innovators across the continent.
The NiDCOM boss encouraged diaspora professionals to intentionally mentor young Africans, create employment opportunities and invest in emerging entrepreneurs.
She also urged African governments to remove bureaucratic barriers and create policies that encourage greater diaspora participation in national development.
Dabiri-Erewa further called for stronger collaboration between Silicon Valley institutions and African universities through internships, fellowships, research partnerships and innovation programmes.
According to her, such partnerships would help unlock the enormous potential of Africa’s population of more than 1.4 billion people.
She said the continent is positioned not only to produce the world’s next generation of digital users but also the engineers and innovators who will build tomorrow’s technologies.
The conference featured a Founders Showcase sponsored by Adobe in partnership with San Jose State University and the Black Engineers Network, bringing together engineers, investors and innovators for startup pitches, panel discussions and conversations on diaspora engagement.
President of the Black Engineers Association, Folarin Erogbogbo, described the event as a platform designed to accelerate Black-led innovation by providing entrepreneurs with opportunities to present their ideas before industry experts and investors.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dabiri-Erewa also met with the Supervisor of Santa Clara County, where both parties discussed possible partnerships with Nigerian cities, particularly in the healthcare sector.
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