The Ghanaian government has confirmed the rescue and return of 28 citizens who were reportedly trapped in a cross-border human trafficking operation based in Côte d’Ivoire. Authorities said the group safely arrived in Ghana on Sunday and are currently cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to uncover those behind the trafficking network. Government officials disclosed that the victims had allegedly been deceived with promises of relocation opportunities and better

Cyril Ramaphosa has defended South Africa’s immigration policies while strongly condemning xenophobia and violence against foreign nationals. The South African president said some citizens are contributing to the country’s migration challenges through corrupt practices and the exploitation of undocumented migrants. In a statement released by the presidency on Monday, Ramaphosa accused certain South Africans of helping undocumented migrants gain access to public benefits throu

The government of Burkina Faso has launched a major diaspora bond initiative aimed at raising CFA125 billion, equivalent to about $224 million, to finance key infrastructure and industrial projects across the country. The initiative, known as the “Patriotic Bond,” was officially opened on May 6, 2026, marking the first phase of a wider CFA240 billion fundraising programme designed to support national economic transformation and development priorities. Authorities said the mon

The Government of Ghana has formally called on the African Union to address the recurring xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa at its upcoming mid-year coordination meeting scheduled for June 2026. In a diplomatic communication sent to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed concern over repeated incidents of violence targeting African nationals living in South Africa. Accordin

Hundreds of Malians living in France assembled in Montreuil, a suburb of Paris, in a public demonstration of solidarity with their home country as security conditions deteriorate following a wave of coordinated attacks. The gathering, held on Monday, brought together members of the diaspora concerned about the surge in violence across Mali. Participants expressed deep anxiety over the safety of relatives and communities affected by the recent offensives involving jihadist gro

The Kenyan shilling recorded a mild appreciation against major global currencies last week, supported largely by steady diaspora remittances and stable foreign exchange demand conditions. Market data indicated that the local currency remained relatively resilient despite a slight dip in foreign reserves. Against the US dollar, the shilling strengthened marginally by about 0.1% week-on-week, averaging KES 129.19 per dollar. The movement reflected a broadly balanced forex marke

The Togolese government has introduced a new national strategy aimed at strengthening the economic role of its citizens living abroad, in a move designed to channel diaspora resources into national development. The policy, approved in Lomé last week, marks an updated framework for engaging Togolese communities overseas, replacing an earlier plan introduced more than a decade ago. Officials say the new approach is intended to transform diaspora contributions from scattered ind

The Iranian government has come under scrutiny after its embassy in London circulated a message urging Iranians living in the United Kingdom to register support for a controversial national campaign tied to the country’s ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The message, shared on the embassy’s official communication channels, appealed to Iranian nationals abroad to demonstrate solidarity with their homeland. It framed the initiative as a patriotic duty, encouraging participa

The government of Germany has introduced a new online visa application portal aimed at modernising and simplifying the visa request process for applicants worldwide. The platform is part of a broader digital reform of consular services. The new system allows applicants to begin their visa applications online, upload required documents, and track the progress of their submissions in real time. Authorities say this reduces the need for multiple physical visits to embassies or v

The Government of Ghana has formally summoned Thando Dalamba, the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa, following a fresh wave of xenophobic incidents reportedly targeting foreign nationals. Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raised alarm over what he described as increasing harassment and intimidation of migrants, including Ghanaians, in parts of South Africa. The concerns were fueled by widely circulated online videos showing confrontations i

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