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For many Africans, migration has long been seen as the key to a better life. Countless youths from Kenya and across the continent leave their homelands in search of better opportunities, hoping for a future of prosperity. Migration has, for centuries, been a means of progress. There are 281 million international migrants worldwide, representing nearly 3.6 per cent of the global population, and they contribute 9.4 per cent to the global GDP. This illustrates the profound economic value that migration offers. By considering economics alone, a “better life abroad” mindset is adopted, and any forebodings of gloom are silenced.
However, many forget that prosperity is not one-dimensional. It is deeply intertwined with human connections and identity. While migration might promise material gains, the loss of connection to one’s home – both in terms of physical and emotional bonds – carries a cost that often remains invisible and underestimated. Driven by poverty and the desire for upward mobility, Africans often overlook the far-reaching consequences of migration.
While migration is often romanticised as a journey towards a better life, it comes with a heavy cost: family disintegration, cultural erosion, and emotional upheaval. These are not mere side effects but intrinsic components of the solemn process. The toll on migrants and their families is severe, but few comprehend the scale of the problem. From an outsider’s perspective, the pain of separation may seem temporary, but for the migrant, it is a deep wound. Family ties are severed and cultural connections loosed, making emotional instability even more probable. In the rush to escape the grinding realities of poverty and desperation, these potential sacrifices often go unnoticed.
When discussing migration, policymakers usually engage in theoretical discourse detached from human realities. The consequences of migration are not just an intellectual exercise – they are deeply personal. It’s not merely the loss of skilled individuals or a “brain drain”, but the loss of lives, relationships, and identities. Africa is not just losing its best and brightest; it is losing the very fabric of its communities, the roots of its culture, and the spirit of its people. We don’t simply lose our best and brightest; we lose our loved ones, and our loved ones lose themselves. They are uprooted, transplanted in strange lands, and dismembered from the communities that nurtured them.
This displacement affects not only the individual but the collective. Communities left behind suffer from the emotional trauma of separation, the loss of role models, and the breakdown of traditional social structures. Even now, the ripple effects are visible in the decline of the arts and sciences. What was once common knowledge has become a mystery and wonder to many. The African textile and mining industries are either a caricature or defunct. The collective energy that could be devoted to local innovation and development is instead channelled into survival and adaptation in foreign lands.
The growing restrictions
As global immigration policies grow more restrictive, the path to migration becomes even more treacherous. Immigrants in countries like the USA, South Africa, and Germany face increasing levels of abuse, discrimination, and hostility. Although this racism is reported as isolated incidents, it is in fact systemic, manifesting in workplace inequality, housing discrimination, and even physical violence. Immigrants endure mistreatment in the form of economic exploitation, physical intimidation, and even sexual abuse. Despite these challenges, many Africans continue to seek better opportunities abroad, putting their faith in their own resilience, the support of relatives, or sheer luck.
What they fail to recognise, however, is that the system they are entering is not just hostile – it is structured to keep them at the bottom. Anti-immigrant sentiment isn’t simply a matter of individual prejudice but a societal force reinforced by political and economic systems. By competing with privileged citizens of developed countries, migrants inadvertently place themselves in harm’s way. And yet, the hope of success blinds many to this reality, creating a distressing cycle of aspiration and despair.
As more African migrants find themselves subjected to xenophobic abuse, rising nationalism, and a tightening job market, the harsh reality of their existence – especially in the global West – becomes clearer. Even the most educated African migrants, often highly qualified and skilled, find themselves relegated to low-paying, low-status jobs. The “better life abroad” narrative is unmasked for what it really is – a dangerous sophistry. What many fail to see is that, as immigration becomes more competitive and hostile, the West is turning away more and more individuals who could otherwise contribute to global development and prosperity.
The cause of intolerance
The discourse surrounding migration is often marked by a misanalysis of its root causes, leading to misguided and ineffective policies. Such approaches do not exhaustively consider the socio-economic conditions that drive both migration and intolerance towards migrants. Without an honest and impassioned discourse, we can expect only policies that exacerbate the problem at hand. When we perceive the citizens of developed countries not as antagonists but as flawed human beings, the picture becomes clearer. Many in the West, hard-pressed by socio-economic woes, are driven to push back against the influx of migrants. For a time, they were willing to offer aid, grants, and donations in an effort to atone for colonialism. But as global instability increases and tension mounts in the United States, where civil unrest looms, this goodwill has eroded.
In this complex dynamic, the experiences of African migrants are not simply the product of racial prejudice but of a broader economic and political system. The growing inequality in developed countries feeds into the increasing resentment towards immigrants, who are seen as competitors for increasingly scarce resources and jobs. It is in this context that migration becomes not just a search for a better life, but an uncomfortable clash of values and a desperate competition for resources. And as we approach 2030 (the target deadline for achieving the 17 SDGs), it is clear that these tensions will not end anytime soon.
A quantitative reckoning
According to the United Nations International Migration Report (2019), there were nearly 36 million African-born immigrants living outside of Africa by 2020. Let us assume an average annual income of US$20,000 (taking into account lower earnings in the Middle East and Asia and higher earnings in North America and Europe). If only 10 million of these migrants are employed, then they’re contributing approximately US$200 billion to the global economy yearly.
The narrative that immigrants do not contribute enough to the economy is misleading and shortsighted. Without immigrant labour, many sectors would struggle to function. Yet, immigrants remain underpaid and undervalued, with entitlements that guarantee their existence insofar as they remain docile. Despite facing significant existential challenges, African immigrants help sustain industries and support the welfare of entire nations. Yet, they remain undervalued, further alienating them from their adopted societies. In this context, the economic exploitation of migrants becomes not just a matter of money but also of dignity, respect, and human rights.
Changing perceptions
As restrictions on immigration intensify globally, the dream of migration becomes less and less attainable. With anti-immigrant policies spreading across Europe, North America, and beyond, the narrative of migration as an escape has begun to unravel. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a harsh reminder of the uncertainties faced by migrants. In times of crisis, immigrants are reminded that they remain outsiders. They are without a true home to return to – their livelihoods precarious and their futures uncertain. Many students studying abroad, deprived of support and facing racial discrimination, share that they would have preferred to endure such hardships surrounded by their familiar support systems back home.
The allure of migration is no longer as strong as it once was. For many, it has become clear that the promise of a better life abroad often leads to disillusionment and struggle. The so-called land of opportunity may no longer feel like a safe haven for the disillusioned migrant who thought they would find success. In this new reality, migration is not a pathway to prosperity but a gamble.
A balanced solution
In this new landscape, remote work presents a more sustainable and empowering alternative for many Africans. Unlike migration, which often requires a painful detachment from one’s community, remote work allows individuals to stay connected to their roots while accessing global opportunities. Remote work offers the possibility of building wealth in a manner consistent with the values of family, culture, and self-reliance. This is a path that offers more control over one’s life, more flexibility in managing time, and less of the emotional and social cost of migration.
Remote work allows Africans to thrive without sacrificing their families, their land, or their cultural identities. It provides the freedom to build wealth in a manner that respects one’s values – fostering a healthier balance between work and social life (family and community). This is not just a business model but a holistic approach to prosperity that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. Remote work offers the promise of economic prosperity without the mental and emotional trauma reminiscent of the transatlantic slave trade.
Challenges of remote work
Remote work is, however, not without its challenges. Africa’s infrastructure remains a significant obstacle, with unreliable internet access and inconsistent electricity in many regions. Moreover, lack of regulations in the remote work industry means that African workers are often exploited, especially in the gig economy. Pay disparities, especially when compared to workers in other parts of the world, remain an issue. The injustice of paying African workers a fraction of what their counterparts in the West earn remains one of the most glaring challenges in this digital economy.
Yet, there is hope. Remote work, when managed ethically and effectively, offers tremendous potential for Africa’s economic growth. By focusing on personal development, building strong networks, and positioning themselves ahead of industry trends, African professionals can carve out a prosperous future for themselves. The future of work is becoming digital, and Africans must be prepared to navigate this evolving landscape.
Effective solutions to the challenges
Although remote work presents novel challenges, such as isolation and work-life imbalance, the cohesive social structures inherent in African societies can be a robust bulwark against depression. A most encouraging development is that some countries such as Canada are beginning to consider remote work performed outside the country as valid work experience. This means that remote workers may eventually be able to enjoy the upward mobility enjoyed by citizens working in foreign countries. Should this trend be adopted by more countries, remote workers worldwide will usher in a time of prosperity never before witnessed in Africa, at least economically.
Shaping a prosperous future for Africa
Remote work offers a transformative opportunity for Africans to achieve prosperity on their own terms. By staying connected to their families and communities, workers can build a future that respects both their financial aspirations and their cultural identity. Unlike the fraught path of migration, remote work offers a dignified and sustainable route to success – one that allows Africans to stay rooted in their homeland while tapping into global opportunities.
By fostering local innovation and embracing the digital economy, Africa can seize the opportunities that were once the exclusive domain of the West. The haemorrhage of talent and human capital caused by migration must be abated. By nurturing local tech industries and supporting remote work initiatives, Africa can rebuild its own prosperity. As Asia has demonstrated, it is possible for developing countries to occupy a prominent place in the digital economy. With the right mental attitude and investments, Africa too can carve out its share of global wealth.
Let us invest in our people, in our communities, and in our future. The time has come for Africa to strategically develop its own capacity. For too long, we have sought opportunities abroad, exposing ourselves and our land to exploitation and abuse. The future of Africa lies not in migration but in reimagining prosperity from within – embracing new technologies, cultivating local talent, and ensuring that every African has the chance to thrive.
