The Diaspora Climate Readiness Index (DCRI) is an initiative of the Diaspora Country Index (DCI) that evaluates how effectively countries are positioned to mobilize their diaspora to support climate resilience and adaptation. This index is focused on the top 10 countries on the African continent.
As climate risks intensify across the Global South—particularly in Africa—countries must leverage all available resources to respond. One of the most underutilized assets is the global diaspora: a distributed network of professionals, researchers, investors, and practitioners with the expertise and capital to contribute to climate solutions.
DCRI provides a structured framework to assess whether countries have the policy foundations, institutional capacity, and engagement mechanisms necessary to activate their diaspora for climate action.
March Diaspora Climate Readiness Index (DCRI)
| Rank | Country | Diaspora Climate Strategy or Policy (0–1) | Diaspora Climate Expertise Networks (0–1) | Dedicated Diaspora Office / Focal Point (0–1) | University & R&D Collaboration with Diaspora (0–1) | Diaspora-Supported Climate Initiatives (0–1) | Total Readiness Score (0–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghana | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | Kenya | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Morocco | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Rwanda | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Cabo Verde | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Mauritius | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | South Africa | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | Nigeria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | Senegal | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 10 | Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Disclaimer
The Diaspora Climate Readiness Index (DCRI) is intended as an analytical and benchmarking tool designed to provide directional insights into how countries engage their diaspora in support of climate resilience. The index is based on a combination of publicly available information and qualitative assessments, and while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and consistency, it may not capture all ongoing or emerging activities within a given country. DCRI does not constitute a definitive or exhaustive measure of a country’s climate performance, policy effectiveness, or investment readiness, and should be interpreted as a forward-looking framework to inform discussion, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
Methodology Note
- DCRI scoring is informed by qualitative analysis of publicly available data, institutional evidence, and observable engagement mechanisms related to diaspora and climate activity.
- In cases where formal documentation is limited, assessments are made conservatively to ensure consistency and comparability across countries.