Going global - reversing the African brain drain

For over a quarter of a century, Africa has been combatting the effects of a continental brain drain. Large numbers of highly skilled and educated people are leaving their home territories to live and work abroad. Major drivers are usually better wages, conditions and long-term career prospects for the individual.

While understandable, the loss of talent does have an adverse effect back in their home territories. Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, wrote in 2015 that: “The number of skilled people and professionals our continent has lost over the decades is truly frightening. Since 1990, Africa has lost 20,000 academic professionals who left their countries and 10 per cent of highly skilled IT and finance professionals have also left the continent in recent years.”

What are the costs?

This is a worrying prospect, not only in terms of economy, but also culture and development. It is estimated that the brain drain has already cost the African continent over $4 billion in the employment of 150,000 expatriate professionals annually, with the continent’s educated and skilled population being lost as a result of emigration to more developed countries.

Currently, 38 of the 47 sub-Saharan African countries fall short of the minimum World Health Organization standard of 20 physicians per 100,000 people. Industries such as science and technology are also suffering, with Africa’s share of global scientific output rapidly falling since mid-1980s.

What’s causing it?

In terms of politics, there seems to be a vicious circle emerging. Persistent issues such as poverty and unstable economic and political systems cause the professionals that would aid in rebuilding to flee. Thus, the middle class begins to crumble, the tax system weakens, as do employment levels and wider civil society, causing yet more people to leave.

In fact, the number of African migrants has doubled in the last ten years, rising faster than any other region. The United Nations report that one in nine Africans with a tertiary education (2.9 million people) are living in developed countries in Europe, North America and elsewhere. This represents a 50% growth in the past 10 years, more than any other region in the world.

Currently, the UK is the first choice of 6% of Nigerian and 4% of South African students and second choice for students from Sub-Saharan Africa, with North America claiming first.  

Yet the departure of the continent’s best minds is not necessarily cause for alarm. By inviting migrants to study in our universities here in the UK, we are able to collaborate and share knowledge and experience. Thus, we will be able to gift them with the resources and skills necessary to really make a difference when they return home.

Actualising Africa’s potential

When the British Council Report were asked in 2014 whether higher education could solve Africa’s job crisis, the answer was a resounding yes. It announced that Africa’s economic outlook was bright as five of the world’s top ten countries in GDP growth were to be found in this region. It is clear that the hindrances are not from lack of ability, but rather direction. But just how will graduates returning home aid in Africa’s development?

  • Defusing the graduate time bomb

Many employers lament that graduates from Sub-Saharan African universities just do not have the skills required, leaving many of them lacking in basic, transferable and technical skills. Graduate diaspora however, do have the skills that African employers are struggling to find. Through studying in world class facilities and research centres with excellent staff, returning graduates can then, in turn, teach and pass on the skills they have learnt overseas.

  • Ready and able graduates

Moreover, returning graduates are enthusiastic and ready to go. Research by the British Council Ghanaian Employer Survey has shown that 72% of Ghanaian employers prefer to employ a graduate educated in the UK, because they are skilled, creative, can manage different situations and adapt easily.

  • A global perspective

Graduate diaspora are also gifted with a global perspective. By studying their chosen subject at a global level, they are able to bring the latest industry innovations and advancements back to Africa. Through attending speeches and lectures and completing internships abroad, a new international perspective is born. This advanced knowledge is thus elevated from local to global, making graduates not just employable but invaluable.  

  • International contacts

Once you have lived, studied or worked abroad, the world seems a whole lot bigger and in this age of connectivity, that mentality is more important than ever. Overseas graduates have been growing alongside other brilliant minds from around the world through placements and work experience, resulting in substantial business contacts and prospects.

  • Improved capacity

According to the Africa Capacity Report 2015, only 8 out of 44 African countries were functioning at a high capacity. But, as outlined before, five of the world’s top ten countries in GDP growth are in the region, with foreign direct investment up, inflation slowed and remittances at record levels 1.

Whether this growth is sustainable only time will tell. The major challenge remains job creation, but there is improvement. The Homecoming Revolution found that for every skilled person returning to South Africa, nine new jobs are created in the formal and informal sectors.

Furthermore, it is well established that growth is contingent and only achievable through a highly skilled workforce. The professional class is vital to manage the mobilisation and realisation of domestic resources, be they natural resources, manufacturing or services. Growth of professionals means improved contributions to tax system, employment, and civil society.

  • Economic impact

In addition to promoting trade and foreign investment in Africa, it will facilitate bilateral trade and investment between host and source countries. Currently, one major barrier for multinational or foreign firms hoping to set up a production facility in Africa is the uncertainty and lack of information regarding the new market. Diasporas can help bridge this divide because they possess vital information which can aid in identifying investment opportunities. Moreover, they can facilitate compliance with regulatory requirements. Due to their language skills and similar cultural background, they are able to improve communication between the company and chosen country, advise investors and offer valuable, unique insight.

  • Improve teaching and research

Finally, through transnational collaboration and the internationalisation of higher education, returnee academics can also…

  • Bring international dimension to teaching and research
  • Contribute to an internationally oriented staff
  • Guide access to research opportunities, support and initiatives
  • Advise on curriculum reform and improved teaching methods
  • Bring regional and international networks
  • Help internationalise and mobilise students and scholars - cross-border educational exchange
  • Aid cross-border delivery of programmes – academics introduce partner universities

 

Moving forward

It is clear that the potential both in employers and graduates is there – the real challenge lies in connecting the two. However, with the creation of award-winning careers sites that link overseas-educated African graduates with opportunities in Africa, such as GradLink, we are able to begin the process of unlocking this potential.

By seizing your future with GradLink, you will be utilising a system produced by a representative national expert – rather than just one university’s. Oluwaseun, who has a PhD Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology from University of Nottingham, wrote that: “GradLink Africa provides a fertile job hunting ground for graduates. For Africans studying abroad who wish to return home to a gainful employment, GradLink Africa offers a way back home.”

Whether you’re recruiting or searching for a role, GradLink is the leading overseas graduate careers site. Register with us today.

 

By David Gee Published: Feb 20,2017
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