When the Diaspora Returns: analysis of Ethiopian returnees and the need for highly skilled labour in Ethiopia

Abstract

The changing nature of international skilled migration may allow developing countries that have been victimised by brain drain to regain some control over the way it impacts them. The two giants of India and China, for example, have benefited in different ways from the shift from brain drain to brain gain. Despite the successes of some countries in mobilising their diaspora and the rapid growth of technology, many countries still struggle to counteract the flight of skilled personnel; Ethiopia is one such country. Ranking first in Africa in terms of the rate of loss of human capital, it has yet to find an effective strategy to manage the comings and goings of its skilled professionals. However, Ethiopia's desire to join the global knowledge economy has pushed the government to massively expand higher education. Such ambitious targets, however, have placed further strain on the meagre-skilled personnel resources. These facts suggest that mobilising the skilled diaspora to contribute to national development would benefit Ethiopia both socially and economically. However, the findings suggest lack of policies to strengthen the government's relationship with Ethiopian professionals in the diaspora is a barrier to engagement. This chapter discusses Ethiopian diaspora mobility and the barriers they encounter in contributing, including after having returned. It focuses attention on the potential impact that the Ethiopian skilled diaspora can have on educational development.