AFFORD Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI) Index- The Gambia

The launch was convened to present new evidence on the scale, trends, and development potential of diaspora direct investment as a complementary source of development finance amid volatile development assistance. 

The launch featured keynote remarks from His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, who underscored the critical role of diaspora communities in driving sustainable economic growth and strengthening national resilience. An opening statement was also made by Ambassador Amr Aljowaily, Director of the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO) at the African Union Commission, highlighting the importance of structured diaspora engagement and investment frameworks to advance the continent’s development agenda.

The DDI index demonstrates that credible, disaggregated data enable governments to design evidence‑based policies, lower transaction costs for diaspora investors, and diversify financing sources at a time when Official Development Assistance (ODA)  is receding and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows remain instable. The evidence gathered underscores the importance of credible data, targeted fiscal incentives, digital facilitation, and meaningful diaspora representation.

The launch in Addis demonstrates that diaspora engagement is moving from fragmented success stories to a data‑driven, policy‑oriented field. With concrete numbers, high‑level political endorsement and a clear implementation roadmap, The Gambia’s DDI Index could become a model for other nations seeking to harness the economic power of their communities overseas. 

Implementing the policy recommendations set out in this study will not only improve the investment climate in The Gambia but also provide a replicable model for the entire African continent. 

You can read the study here.