The IOM office in Bamako is launching a project to find out how
Malians abroad can best contribute to the development of their home
country.

The project, which is carried out in cooperation with the
Ministry for Malians Abroad and African Integration, will over the
next eight months gather data on migrant communities in France,
Spain, Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC). The aim of this project is to identify skills available in
the diasporas and possible investment opportunities as part of a
Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA)
programme.  

Of particular interest will be patterns of remittances and
investments, options for temporary return or skill-transfer and
improved understanding of migration dynamics between Mali, Europe,
West and Central Africa.   

This project will also provide training to the Ministry for
Malians Abroad to help it set up programmes and policies aimed at
encouraging a return of knowledge and expertise from the diaspora
and investments into strategic sectors of the Malian economy, such
as agriculture, education and health.  

 

There are an estimated 4 million Malians abroad, including 2.7
million in Africa, mostly in Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, the DRC
and Congo Brazzaville. The Malian expatriate community in France is
estimated to be 700,000 strong.

  

This project is financed by IOM's 1035 Facility, which provides
special support to IOM developing member states and member states
with economies in transition for the development and implementation
of joint government-IOM projects to address particular areas of
migration management. Since its inception in 2001, the Facility has
supported 179 projects in various areas of IOM activity and has
benefited over 80 member states.

For further information, please contact:

Nicola Graviano

IOM Bamako

Tel: +223 229 76 98

E-mail: "mailto:ngravianotdy@iom.int">ngravianotdy@iom.int

or

Mahambé Sylla

Tel: +223 229 76 97

E-mail: "mailto:msylla@iom.int">msylla@iom.int