Improving the management of remittances and their use for development impact in Africa

Remittances sent by migrant workers to and within Africa were over US$95 billion in 2021, benefiting over 200 million family members of African migrant workers, the majority of whom live in rural areas (55 per cent of the population).

In Africa, one out of five people send or receive international remittances, without considering domestic flows. Most remittances received in Africa cover daily needs, with a significant amount (25 per cent) available for savings or investment.

Bringing these funds into the formal financial system can dramatically increase their impact. When remittances are deposited into financial institutions, they can benefit both the individual and the community. 

With better financial education and a broader range of financial services to choose from, remittance recipients are empowered to make financial choices that can advance them towards financial resilience. The ability to expand financial services, however, depends on institutional capacity, willingness to offer services to low-income people, and on regulatory frameworks that enables them to do so.

What is IFAD doing?

The PRIME Africa programme, co-financed by the European Union, is addressing these development opportunities through innovations, partnerships, and scalable products that promote cheaper, faster, and safer remittance transfers.

By maximizing the impact of remittances for millions of families, PRIME Africa is fostering local economic opportunities in the following seven Africa countries. In Cabo Verde and Ethiopia, the FFR has carried out country studies to assess opportunities to be implemented by the initiative:

• Cabo Verde: English | Portuguese
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Morocco
• Senegal 
• South Africa
• The Gambia
• Uganda