Ghana recorded a sharp rise in diaspora remittances in 2025, with inflows hitting approximately $7.8 billion, more than double the previous year’s figure and significantly higher than foreign direct investment (FDI). Authorities say the trend underscores the growing financial influence of Ghanaians abroad but warn that much of the money is still being used for consumption rather than long-term economic development. Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Pandit Asiama, disclos

The government of Belgium has announced plans to transition its short-term work permit application process to a fully digital platform beginning May 1, 2026. The move marks a significant administrative shift aimed at improving efficiency in handling foreign worker documentation. Under the new arrangement, all applications for short-term and commuter work permits must be submitted exclusively through an official online portal. Employers and their authorised representatives wil

The governments of Azerbaijan and Mexico have formalised a new partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration on diaspora engagement and support for citizens living abroad. The agreement was reached during an official visit to Mexico by Fuad Muradov, who leads Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Work with Diaspora. His visit focused on expanding bilateral ties and exploring joint initiatives related to diaspora development. As part of his engagements, Muradov held talks with Ta

Kenya’s electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has announced plans to extend diaspora voter registration to 16 additional countries as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections. The new countries targeted include Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Oman, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ghana, Italy, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ireland, Türkiye, Ethiopia, China, and Mozambique. The move is aimed at increasing p

The killing of Iranian activist Masood Masjoody in Canada has intensified tensions among Iranian communities abroad, exposing deep ideological fractures over the ongoing conflict involving Iran and competing visions for the country’s future leadership. Masjoody, a mathematician known for publicly accusing perceived opponents, had earlier claimed that fellow activists were plotting against him. His warnings initially drew little attention. However, his disappearance in early F

Spain has approved a sweeping immigration reform that will allow hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants to apply for legal residency, positioning the country at odds with tightening migration policies across much of Europe. The initiative, endorsed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is expected to benefit up to 500,000 people currently living without legal status. Authorities say the programme is designed to bring more migrants into the formal economy while addressing d

The Finance Minister has called on overseas citizens to expand their financial participation in Pakistan by investing through the Roshan Digital Account (RDA), describing the diaspora as a key pillar of national economic stability and foreign exchange inflows. He made the appeal during a diaspora investment and remittance engagement event held at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C., organised in collaboration with financial authorities and banking sector stakeholders. Th

The German Embassy Abuja has announced the opening of applications for a full-time administrative position within its political department, offering an opportunity for qualified candidates to work closely on diplomatic and policy-related activities. In a notice released on Monday, the embassy stated that it is seeking to hire a case worker for its political unit. The role is structured as a 40-hour-per-week position, with the successful applicant expected to resume duties as

Singapore has unveiled plans to expand its permanent residency programme, setting a target of admitting up to 40,000 new permanent residents each year over the next five years. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s labour force and addressing demographic challenges. The announcement was made by Gan Kim Yong during parliamentary discussions on the nation’s 2026 budget. He explained that the projected intake represents a moderate increase f

India has expressed strong appreciation to the United Arab Emirates for safeguarding the welfare of its citizens during the recent tensions in West Asia. The acknowledgement came during a high-level diplomatic visit to Abu Dhabi, where discussions focused on bilateral cooperation and regional stability. During the engagement, India conveyed gratitude for the UAE’s continued commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the large Indian community residing in the Gulf nat

The organisers of Miss Diaspora Ghana have officially launched the 2026 edition in Accra, introducing a renewed vision that places economic growth and diaspora engagement at the centre of the pageant. At the unveiling, the organisers made it clear that the initiative is no longer just about beauty and cultural display. Instead, it is being repositioned as a strategic platform to connect Ghanaians living abroad with opportunities to invest, collaborate, and contribute to natio

A diaspora advocacy group, the Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative, has praised regional and national human rights institutions for their intervention in Zimbabwe’s ongoing constitutional amendment debate, while urging authorities to reconsider the current reform approach. In a statement released on Thursday, the group commended both the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for what it described as a firm and principled positi

The Government of Uganda has intensified efforts to involve its citizens abroad in national development, holding a high-level diaspora engagement in Japan as part of plans to establish a comprehensive National Diaspora Policy. The consultation, organised by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside its embassy in Tokyo, brought together professionals, students, and entrepreneurs from the Ugandan community across Japan. The meeting formed part of a broader global initiati

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered into an agreement with the United States to accept foreign nationals deported from American territory, marking a significant development in Washington’s expanding migration control strategy Government officials in Kinshasa confirmed that the arrangement will involve the temporary reception of third-country nationals, with implementation expected to begin this month. However, authorities did not disclose how many individuals w

Athens is set to host the 3rd Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium from 18 to 25 June 2026, bringing together young Greeks from across the globe to discuss culture, identity, and leadership. The initiative is part of a broader effort to engage diaspora youth in shaping the future of global Hellenism. The symposium is organised by the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy. It aims to foster connections among young Greeks, creating a platform for exchanging ideas

The Croatian government has introduced a financial support scheme aimed at easing the reintegration of its diaspora by covering the cost of translating foreign academic qualifications. Announced by the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, the initiative provides a total funding pool of €25,000 to assist returning emigrants and their families in translating higher education documents into Croatian. The programme is designed to reduce bureaucratic obstacles often faced by re

The Government of Ghana has announced plans to grant visa-free entry to all African nationals, marking a significant shift in its immigration policy aimed at strengthening regional integration. The policy, approved under President John Mahama, is scheduled to take effect on May 25, a date celebrated annually as Africa Day. Officials say the move is part of broader efforts to promote unity across the continent and ease cross-border movement. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, S

Syria has dismissed calls for mass repatriation of its citizens living in Germany, emphasizing the diaspora’s role as a vital resource for the country. Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani described Syrians abroad as “strategic national assets” and stressed that any return should be voluntary. He said engagement with the diaspora is key to Syria’s reconstruction efforts and pledged to provide safe conditions for those choosing to return. Al-Shaibani noted that the Syrian

Ghana has taken another step toward strengthening its economic relationship with Europe following a major business and cultural expo held in Zurich, Switzerland. The event brought together government officials, diaspora leaders, investors, and private sector players in a coordinated effort to expand cross-border partnerships and unlock new opportunities for growth. At the centre of the engagement was a high-level business-to-business session that focused on building a stronge

The Japanese government has introduced tougher conditions for foreign nationals seeking citizenship, increasing the minimum residency period from five to ten consecutive years. The new directive is set to take effect from April 1 as part of broader efforts to tighten the naturalisation process. Officials from the Justice Ministry confirmed that the revised framework also includes stricter documentation requirements, aimed at ensuring more rigorous screening of applicants. The