Millions of young Africans face limited job opportunities. YABs Network connects diaspora expertise, funding, and mentorship to empower job creators and build Africa’s next generation of leaders.
Update
The African Professional as a Bridge
Insights from the Diaspora Network Brunch
In August 2025, Yabs Network hosted the Diaspora Network Brunch in Antwerp to convene African professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers living in Belgium. The objective was clear: to explore how diaspora professionals can contribute more intentionally to building Africa’s future — not just through sentiment, but through skills, collaboration, and structure.
Rather than focusing solely on keynote speeches or expert panels, the event was designed to listen deeply to the community. Participants were asked to reflect on three prompts: what expertise they bring, what barriers they face in contributing to Africa’s growth, and what kinds of initiatives they would like to build. Their responses revealed valuable insights that can inform both diaspora engagement strategy and transnational development planning.
Participants described a wide spectrum of professional and leadership capabilities. These included hard skills in fields like medicine, engineering, IT, law, and sales, as well as soft skills such as adaptability, leadership, creative direction, and organising.
Importantly, several individuals described themselves as “connectors” or “inspirers” — signalling not just a functional expertise but a desire to mobilise networks and foster collaboration. The talent is not only present — it’s ready to be activated.
When reflecting on barriers, participants surfaced a mix of structural, psychological, and relational challenges. Structural issues included governance constraints, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited access to funding. But just as significant were the emotional and cultural barriers: mistrust, fear of failure, feelings of disconnection from the continent, and the difficulty of navigating dual identities.
This points to a broader truth about diaspora engagement: technical expertise is only part of the equation. Successful contribution also requires cultural fluency, psychological safety, and long-term strategy.
The most striking insight came from the kinds of initiatives participants said they would like to contribute to. These ranged from education and training exchanges, to agriculture and logistics ventures, to cultural initiatives such as creative agencies and music festivals. Several proposed structured partnerships between European institutions and African counterparts — such as inter-company exchange programs or multinationals expanding into African markets.
There was a strong orientation toward actionable, collaborative, and sector-specific efforts. Many ideas reflected a hybrid logic: combining entrepreneurship with social impact, or technical disciplines with cultural relevance. This suggests a maturity in thinking — diaspora professionals aren’t simply seeking to give back, but to build forward.
Three strategic implications stand out:
Map and mobilise skills intentionally
Rather than general appeals to "give back," diaspora organisations should create mechanisms to connect professionals by sector, interest, and geography.
Address soft barriers with equal urgency
Trust, identity, and fear of failure are real and often under-discussed. Providing spaces to navigate these tensions is essential to unlocking diaspora potential.
Invest in structured collaboration models
One-off events are not enough. What’s needed are scalable, repeatable programs that link diaspora expertise to African initiatives in education, business, and public service.
Africa's development is not only a question of what happens on the continent — it’s also shaped by how its global citizens are organised, resourced, and connected. The African diaspora holds enormous potential to serve as a bridge, not only in theory but in practice.
The brunch made one thing clear: the talent is ready. Now, the challenge is building the structures and partnerships to channel it.
“A job is more than just a paycheck; it is the key to dignity, stability, and the ability to contribute to society.”
– OYA –
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