An analysis of the market for skilled African development management professionals

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) wishes to enhance the continent’s knowledge of the state and competitiveness of Africa’s labor market and to guide in the design of strategies and instruments for strengthening skills retention and effective utilization of highly skilled African development management professionals in the diaspora. In preparation for the study to review the characteristics of the market for skilled African professionals, ACBF developed terms of reference (TORs) setting out the study’s objectives, scope and expected output. The TORs are quite broad and ambitious and could not be accomplished in a single study. Therefore, this report provides a summary of the results of the first preliminary study, and makes a set of recommendations designed to enable ACBF to make strategic choices about the way forward.

This study is based on a limited review of the literature, Internet search, and email contacts with individuals and institutions known to be actively involved in research or programming in the areas of African transnational migration. The studies reported here include continent-wide studies, country survey studies, case studies, and action programmes designed to reverse the brain drain. While this review is not comprehensive, it is considered representative of the wide range of migration issues and realities facing Africa.

Over the years, African transnational migration has evolved into a more complex and dynamic phenomenon fuelled by both push factors at home, and forces of globalization in the transit and receiving countries. While a new consensus is emerging as to the seriousness of the brain drain, especially for Africa with its limited capacity for economic, social and political development, there is less agreement as to the most effective ways to respond by way of policy or programmes. Most of the studies by international organizations (e.g. ILO, IOM, IDR) take the position that migration is not only inevitable, but it can also be beneficial both to the source and receiving countries. These studies tend to emphasize the important contributions of capital transfers. Studies by or for Africans, on the other hand, tend to emphasize the brain drain and other losses to the emigrant’s community, country of origin, or Africa as a whole.

Country specific studies reported in the report provide more detailed analysis of the effects of migration to the emigrants, their families, communities and country of origin. Taken together, these studies illustrate the range of experiences and responses to emigration by different countries. For example, while South Africa has accepted the seriousness of the loss of professionals due to emigration, and has responded with aggressive and proactive policies and programmes, Cape Verde is seeking to increase its levels of emigration. Survey research conducted at the University of Sussex focuses on West African migration and provides empirical evidence in support of the diaspora option, capital transfers, and the link between emigration, return and poverty alleviation through paid employment or small business development (self-employment).

This review did not find a single empirical study focused exclusively on African development management professionals (DMPs). The operational definition of DMP and associated professions or occupations remains unclear. Most likely, there is no single labor market for all DMPs. As well, it is not clear which of the development management occupations are truly professional. Drawing on the literature on development policy and management, and using ACBF’s stated areas of competences, a list of possible DMPs has been developed and presented in this report as a basis for discussion and prioritization for subsequent studies.

This report provides a summary of various responses by various actors to the challenges of professional emigration. These responses are grouped into four broad categories of: (i) Diaspora options; (ii) regional initiatives, (iii) research initiatives, and (iv) government policy and programmes. Although the Diaspora options (e.g. RQAN, MIDA) have been tried since the 1970’s, and although they are most popular among international organizations and African governments, there is no conclusive empirical evidence about their cost effectiveness, sustainability, and net impact on the brain drain. As for government policy and programmes, South Africa has developed one of the most aggressive and proactive migration policy and programmes with possible wider implications for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Finally, this report makes ten commendations for ACBF’s consideration and strategic choices for the next steps. While more work is definitely needed, the most effective way forward must be more strategic, focused, targeted, and informed by quality empirical evidence, lessons of experience, and political support and commitment.

The first set of recommendations calls for a clear operational definition and prioritization of DMPs and associated labor markets, and re-examination of the draft TORs in light of the new priorities. The second set of recommendations calls for a reexamination of existing approaches to the brain drain problems with the view to developing different and hopefully more innovative and effective approaches. Specifically, consideration should be given to approaches based on the idea that prevention is better than cure, micro approaches to problems of professional emigration, and national, sectoral or occupational rather than continent-wide approaches.

The third set of recommendations calls upon ACBF to develop carefully selected strategic partners with whom to undertake some of the tasks associated with the next steps forward. Finally, it is recommended that the Foundation should consider taking on the lead role as the African centre of excellence for knowledge management, clearing-house, central network and capacity building in all aspects relating to the management of migration of DMPs.

The above text is extracted from the executive summary.  Please see the link below for the complete report.