Helping Countries Build Diaspora Readiness
Diaspora Country Index (DCI) measures how prepared countries are to engage their diasporas. We identify gaps in policies, institutions, and coordination, and develop frameworks to help governments and partners strengthen diaspora engagement. Our work begins in Africa, with a wider Global South focus.
Diaspora readiness means having the policies, institutions, relationships, and systems in place to turn diaspora interest into sustained engagement.
As global development shifts from aid to capability, DCI positions diaspora engagement as critical infrastructure for growth.
Explore Our Research
“Our indices assess the conditions supporting diaspora engagement in development finance and climate action”
Diaspora Bond Readiness Index
Assessing diaspora engagement policy, sovereign credit ratings, and remittance dependence to inform discussions about diaspora financing readiness.
Diaspora Climate Readiness Index
Assessing the policies, institutions, expertise networks, research partnerships, and initiatives supporting diaspora engagement in climate action.
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What We Do
Measure Readiness:
Publish benchmarks showing strengths and gaps in diaspora engagement.
Develop Practical Frameworks:
Translate research into policy guidance and tools for governments, stakeholders, and partners.
Support Informed Dialogue:
Bring research into discussions among governments, diaspora professionals, researchers, and development partners.
Low-Aid to Economic Development
As Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) declines, countries across the Global South must build new sources of technical expertise and financing. Diasporas represent one of the largest untapped assets for economic transformation – yet most countries lack the infrastructure to effectively engage them.
With Africa’s population projected to grow from 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion, the ability to mobilize diaspora talent, capital, and networks will be critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Diaspora Country Index (DCI) addresses this gap by building the infrastructure that enables countries to systematically engage their diasporas for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.
Areas of Focus
Diaspora Development Finance
Assessing the conditions supporting diaspora participation in development finance, beginning with diaspora bond readiness.
Policy & Institutional Readiness
Identifying gaps in government mandates, coordination, and engagement systems, and developing practical guidance to address them.
Diaspora Climate Readiness
Examining the policies, expertise networks, research partnerships, and initiatives supporting diaspora participation in climate action.
Diaspora Expertise & Knowledge Partnerships
Identifying pathways for diaspora professionals, universities, and institutions to contribute technical expertise to national development priorities.
Impact
The ability of an African country to engage its diaspora for development purposes – to reduce poverty, eradicate hunger, promote good health and well-being, and build strong accountability and governance institutions – is very important to achieving the SDGs.
What we Believe