Botswana has described the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, as a model for effective diaspora engagement in Africa, as it seeks to strengthen ties with its citizens abroad for national development.
The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said successful diaspora engagement must be built on intentionality, communication, strategy, and trust.
She spoke while receiving a Botswana delegation led by Mr. Dikgang Phillip Makgalemele during a study tour of the Commission in Abuja.
Represented by the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Dabiri-Erewa said African countries are beginning to recognise the importance of their diaspora communities in driving economic growth and development across the continent.
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She highlighted several NiDCOM initiatives aimed at engaging Nigerians abroad, including the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, National Diaspora Day, Diaspora Housing Scheme, Presidential Diaspora Town Hall Meetings and partnerships with professional diaspora groups.
She also invited Botswana to the Global Nigeria Investment Summit scheduled for Canada in August 2026.
The NiDCOM boss noted that many Nigerians abroad are eager to contribute to national development through investments and expertise while also stressing the need to use the diaspora community to promote a more positive image of Nigeria globally.
However, she identified inadequate funding, unresolved issues surrounding diaspora voting, and insufficient office space as some of the major challenges confronting the Commission in carrying out its mandate effectively.
Speaking on behalf of the Botswana delegation, Mr. Dikgang Phillip Makgalemele, Executive Chairperson of the Institute for Development Practitioners (I4DP), praised Nigeria’s proactive diaspora engagement model and said Botswana hopes to replicate aspects of it.
He disclosed that Botswana plans to host its first Trade and Investment Forum next year to attract members of its diaspora for investment and national development discussions.
The Botswana delegation’s visit brings to nine the number of countries and regional organisations that have undertaken study tours of NiDCOM, following similar visits from Ethiopia, Egypt, Tanzania, Namibia, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Korea and the Southern African Development Community, SADC.
