Date: 6 April 2011
Time: 10:00-12:30
Venue: IFAD - Italian Conference Room

This report comes at a time when countries in Africa and elsewhere are grappling with difficult choices on how to manage migration. It marks an effort to fill data and knowledge gaps on migration which in Africa comes in complex forms. About 30 million Africans live outside their home countries, and migration is a vital lifeline for the continent. These migrants sent home over $40 billion in remittances last year. And their annual estimated saving, usually held in foreign countries, exceeds $50 billion. The report also outlines innovative financing mechanisms such as issuance of diaspora bonds and securitization of future remittance flows that can help finance big-ticket projects like railways, roads, power plants, and higher-education institutions that will, step by step, help to transform Africa.

On 6 April at 10:00 at IFAD headquarters, panelists will present new data of African migration, consider the challenges African governments face in managing migration, and suggest the way forward on policies that will increase development impact. They will also discuss policy recommendations that can improve the migration experience for migrants, origin countries, and destination countries.