Diaspora agency to work on census of Ethiopian Diaspora

The newly established Diaspora Agency said it is working to put in place a system that enables to identify the exact number of Ethiopian Diaspora and the countries where they live in.

Agency’s Director General, Selamawit Dawit, said that efforts are underway to implement soon a system that attachs special attention to efficient data management and strengthen the Diaspora communities’ engagement in transferring technology, apart from remittances.

The agency, which will be accountable to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and manage its own budget and financial activities, is also tasked to ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of Ethiopians in the Diaspora.

According to the World Bank report, global remittances touched $689 billion – mark in 2018. The flow of remittances to developing and under-developed countries is critical to the economies.

India continued to top in terms of receiving remittance, and was followed by China, the Philippines, Mexico, Nigeria, and Egypt.