African migrants are activists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, communicators and researchers. Some live in Canada or the United States, while others continue to work in Africa. Their paths may be different, but their voices converge on the same reality. African migration is not a whim or a passing trend, but a profound symptom of a continent searching for dignity, recognition and opportunities.
For Sikata Nguemta, a Chadian communicator now living in Canada, leaving was never an abandonment. “No young person leaves their homeland for fun. They are a result of broken dreams and misplaced hopes,” she says, referring to exile that is often imposed by injustice, marginalisation and fear.
An outspoken social justice and African sovereignty activist, she sometimes faces threats and pressure for speaking out. “Freedom comes at a price,” she reminds us, refusing to be silenced like so many other politically active women.
Migo Natolban, a Chadian media personality and entrepreneur who has lived in Canada for twenty years, shares her view that migration is a fundamental right. “It is not a failure, but often an act of survival or a quest for dignity,” he says, highlighting the tragedy of young people being forced to flee believing they have no alternative.
He believes that the real challenge is not to leave, but to remain useful to Africa by building bridges between host societies and countries of origin.
However, leaving is not a reason to idealise another place. The obstacles are well-known: difficult integration, social decline, cultural barriers and the weight of others’ opinions. Serge Bayala, a cultural analyst from Burkina Faso, highlights a frequently overlooked obstacle: the impact of prejudices inherited from colonisation. “Many fail to integrate because they refuse certain respectable jobs,” he explains, denouncing the contempt for manual labour and the fear of social judgement.
He believes that the diaspora should not merely consume the ‘Western dream’, but rather be active participants in development. “Technology transfer will not come from States, but from our diaspora,” he argues, urging Africans working in industry, construction, and the food and beverage sector to observe, learn, and adapt this knowledge to local circumstances. He is also a strong advocate of the intelligent promotion of African heritage.
The diaspora also has a cultural and symbolic responsibility. Bayala speaks of a “diplomacy of food and know-how”, whereby every African living abroad becomes an ambassador for their nation’s identity. He regrets the lack of structured State support for these initiatives, despite the fact that they promote influence and employment.
In the United States, Da Sié de Bindouté, a passionate intellectual, recounts the shock of discovering Africa’s scientific and historical achievements outside of Africa itself. He notes bitterly that museums, libraries and architecture inspired by ancient Egypt make Africa more visible in Western museums than on its own soil.
This experience further strengthened his belief that science, memory preservation and education are key to liberating the continent.
It also highlights the responsibility of African leaders. Poor governance, a lack of vision, and contempt for citizen initiatives all fuel the exodus. “Change will not come from above, but from within, from the people,” says Sikata Nguemta, who is calling for a decolonisation of minds and the reconstruction of a national consciousness.
However, none of these individuals condemns leaving per se. The message is clear: leaving can be a lifesaver, but staying connected is a duty. “Leave if you must, but don’t forget why you left,” advises Sikata, summing up the feelings of a generation of African migrants caught between two worlds.
One thing is certain at the intersection of these viewpoints: African migration cannot be controlled without social justice, respect for local cultures and the active involvement of the diaspora in bringing about change. Africa has no shortage of talent or wealth. Africa has no shortage of talent or wealth. What it lacks are the conditions that would encourage its people to remain there or return.
