Expatriate/diaspora engagement and remittances

The Ministry of Immigration in Egypt announced the launch of the "Egypt's Voice in Africa" initiative with the aim of sustaining communication with Egyptian communities in Lesotho, Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, as a first stage to listen to their ideas, proposals and problems, and work to meet their needs at all levels.

The Somalian government is developing the National Diaspora Policy with the support of IOM. The policy will support sustainable development by strengthening social and economic linkages between Somalia and its diaspora, including migrant workers abroad. The national Department of Diaspora Affairs, under the Foreign Affairs Ministry, will undertake consultations with government and non-government stakeholders, including IOM to ensure that a participatory, inclusive and coherent policy is developed.

The Ministerial Committee, in its meeting on 31 March 2020, agreed on a strategy in the return of the Lebanese diaspora. The return of the diaspora should be subject to the conditions set by the Ministerial Council with the Minister of Health, and with respect to the mechanism adopted within the government strategy.

The responsibilities of the Agency on International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development are to: Participate in preparing and implementing the national policy for international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, religious, educational, scientific and technical spheres; Assist the diplomatic apparatus and ministries to optimize foreign technical and financial assistance in support of national development; coordinate the implementation of the training policy of foreigners in Algeria as well as the training of Algerians abroad in consultation with concerned ministries; promote the employment of national competencies abroad in the context of international cooperation; Develop and maintain relationships with the Algerian scientific community and business men residing abroad, among others.

Law No. 68 establishes the National Council for Tunisians Abroad to support and represent the Tunisian diaspora.

Law No. 76 amends law No. 231 of 1996 regarding Egyptians who intend to work abroad and imposes fees on permits for highly skilled Egyptians to work in the public sector in countries of destination and requires them to obtain a permit before beginning their employment.

The national development plan covers five action areas, including a mention of migration under human development as well as social inclusion priorities for Tunisian diaspora communities.

Under Decree No. 1930, the Tunisian Government establishes the National Migration Observatory which acts as a research and coordination body on issues affecting the Tunisian community abroad and migrants in Tunisia.

Under the 2014 Constitution, Tunisia expands the opportunity for political engagement of long-term Tunisian expatriates by guaranteeing the right to vote of Tunisians abroad in the representative assembly and the right of dual nationals to run for the presidency, provided that they renounce their second nationality in case of victory.