Published in February 2026 by the initiative The Seeds in collaboration with specialized authors, this barometer represents a decisive step toward better understanding and valuing contributions that, in some cases, exceed traditional investments.
A massive, stable, and strategic financial flow
According to the authors of the 2025 Barometer, transfers from African diasporas exceeded $100 billion in 2024, positioning these flows as one of the continent’s main pillars of external financing. This level rivals — and sometimes surpasses — official development assistance (around $48 billion in 2023) and foreign direct investment.
The Africa Finance Corporation’s 2025 Infrastructure Report states that Africa received over $95 billion in remittances in 2024, nearly equal to the FDI flows recorded that same year. “Remittances have proven to be a stable and resilient source of external financing,” the report notes.
A driver of economic stability and local development
Money transfers are no longer solely used to meet immediate household needs. Available data suggest that they are increasingly serving as channels for investment in education, health, and small businesses. Countries like Egypt, which received approximately $22.7 billion in 2024, and Nigeria, with nearly $19.8 billion, demonstrate that these flows are essential for economic resilience and currency stability.
In some cases, these transfers account for over 20% of the national GDP in countries like The Gambia or Lesotho, underlining how the diaspora acts as an economic safety net for local communities.
Costs remain high
Despite their significance, money transfers remain costly and often informal. High fees and reliance on non-banking channels continue to divert a significant portion of funds from official circuits, reducing their potential impact on development.
This situation fuels important debates within African political and economic circles, particularly on the need to reduce transfer costs, improve access to digital financial services, and implement innovative instruments to channel more diaspora capital into productive investments.
An underestimated lever for the future
The 2025 Barometer goes far beyond mere numbers: it challenges the way African diaspora is positioned in development strategies. As highlighted in the African Development Bank’s report Remittances: Making Remittances Work for Africa, these flows are more reliable than other external sources and can support inclusive growth if public policies adequately promote their integration into formal economies.
