Can nationality be a barrier to entering the public sector in a foreign African country? And what happens when you need experience to get your foot in the door? Michael shares his experience in Benin with Dialogue Migration.

Michael* is a second-year Master’s student specialising in Computer Telecommunication Networks and has three years of work experience. He has worked for Benin’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as several private companies. On this June afternoon in 2025 in Cotonou, he enthusiastically shares his experience with Dialogue Migration.

“As a Central African working in Benin, it’s been a great experience. When you’re away from home, you have a lot of ideas, but you also feel limited in terms of certain opportunities. However, if you’re qualified, determined, and passionate about what you want in life, I believe it’s easy to achieve your goals,” he says, reflecting on his experiences in Benin.

For Michael, it all started with an internship. “I needed to complete an academic internship to complement my Bachelor’s degree. At the time, this was the only place where I could secure an internship quickly. I applied to ten different places, and they were the ones who got back to me. I went there, and after defending my thesis, I applied for a work placement. They called me back,” he recounts enthusiastically.

“There was no question of me not being Beninese or anything like that. I was in the information systems department. An older man from the Central African Republic, who had some experience, advised me to submit my application and I was called back. We were in charge of IT in the building where I worked,” he says.

Michael believes that when you have the necessary skills, barriers based on origin disappear. “Nationality is not a problem. If you’re qualified and competent, nothing can hold you back. If your skills are needed in a country, I think they’ll overcome any barriers to recruit you. It’s no wonder the Americans say, ‘Yes we can,’” he continues.

In his opinion, you cannot hide the sun with the shade of your hands. “If you’re competent, nothing can hold you back, whether you’re at home or elsewhere. There are Africans who excel abroad. The best TikToker in the world is Senegalese and thriving in the United States. I don’t think there’s anything that can stop a determined human being,” he maintains.

Is integration challenging?

According to Michael, you can succeed quickly abroad, but at the same time, you are exposed to excesses because of the greater freedom.

“It’s not easy for a beginner to integrate, but with time, it becomes easier,” he says. He believes the key lies in knowing how to socialise and doing one’s research to find out if there is an embassy or community from your country of origin. But he doesn’t stop there – he also encourages taking the time to observe the cohesion within the community and the attitude of its members, evaluating them in relation to your own objectives. If they do not fit, you need to know when to step back.

Although opinions about Michael may be divided, his experience demonstrates that it is possible for an African to have their skills recognised in another African country. There are many examples of African professionals being promoted in countries other than their own.

Some breakthroughs and challenges

In Benin, nationality is not a major issue in the private sector. Multinational companies in the telecommunications and construction sectors frequently employ workers and line managers of non-Beninese nationality. The same applies to agencies representing sub-regional institutions, which generally do not consider nationality a barrier, according to their own claims.

In the public sector, the drive to recruit talent – combined with efforts to sideline political allies in leadership positions – has led to the appointment of non-nationals to certain roles in Benin, including both Africans (such as Rwandans, Senegalese and Togolese) and Europeans.

However, these appointments have sparked public outcry, particularly in sectors considered sensitive by citizens. This situation highlights how, in some African countries, the presence of non-nationals in positions of State responsibility can be met with resistance and skepticism.

*Alias name