RECONNECTING AFRICANS IN THE DIASPORA AND THE CONTINENT: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (ADDI)

Abstract

This research focuses on the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), which is a space-making organization with the aim of facilitating networking and reconnection for Africans in the diaspora on one hand, and between Africans in the diaspora and Africans on the continent on the other hand. The organization advocates for Pan-Africanism through initiatives such as the development of Wakanda City, the promotion of regional trade, empowerment of the youth and women, repatriation of the diaspora, and the development of a regional digital currency, Oduwacoin, based on blockchain technology. The framework for analysis of the case of the ADDI is based on institutional theory. Methodology: This is a qualitative analysis of secondary data in the form of academic literature, policy documents, and data obtained from the official website of the African Diaspora Development Institute. The information obtained from the literature and the official website of the organization reveals that it is the 1st ever project of its kind on the African continent, born in vision mostly by Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, former AU Ambassador to the United States of America. The data obtained from the literature and the official website of the organization reveal promising opportunities for the growth and development of Africa, including rejuvenation of the economies, participation of the diaspora, and integration of the continent, among others. However, the data obtained from the literature and the official website of the organization reveal that there are formidable challenges that the initiative is likely to face, including financial constraints, corruption, and insecurity, among others. The paper recommends that there should be more engagement with organizations such as the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/African Union (AU) and other sub-regional organizations, improvement of security to facilitate the participation of the diaspora, and improvement of anti-corruption mechanisms to safeguard funds and the sustainability of the projects of the ADDI, among others.