Paper long abstract:

Migration and development policy debate on international skills migration has largely been framed around migrants in the skills and semi-skilled categories and how they fit the labour market needs in the countries of destination. Missing in this debate is the role of diasporas, knowledge, skills and experiences. Diasporas are composed of individuals and groups characterized by a mixture of pre and post migration qualifications, skills and experiences. This is demonstrated by diasporas that function as entrepreneurs, expats, lecturers, students, politicians and adventurers. Those that have migrated for the purpose of family reunification have also gained experiences in diverse fields with they share and transfer through networks. While the link between diasporas and skills transfers has been framed within the debates and police initiatives about (voluntary) return and circular migration, diasporas also contribute to development in the countries of origin and residence through transnational practices that span single nation-state borders. In the case of African diasporas, their continued affinity and strong attachment to locations or origin, communities and commitment to next of kin left behind, inform a sustained voluntary transnational engagement whose outcomes are felt at different levels but hardly captured in the international skills migration debate. This paper is based on findings from a study involving 12 Kenyan diasporas in the Netherlands who participated in a project that sought to facilitate the transfer of skills and exchange of experiences to various sectors and institutions in Kenya and the Netherlands. We demonstrate that diasporas fit within the knowledge migration paradigm even though most of their transnational practices take place outside formal policy frameworks, are self-and/or collective interest-driven and voluntary in nature. These exchanges take place physically and virtual through digital platforms underpinned by increased access to information technology. We argue that diaspora transnational practices constitute an important conduit of knowledge for the labour market conditions in the countries of residence and origin in the context of changing global labour needs and knowledge-based economies. For Africa, diaspora practices plug the marginalized groups and parts of the global south with the north through the exchange of knowledge and experiences.