We, the participants of the West Africa Regional Conference, gathered in Bamako, Republic of Mali, in anticipation of the 9th Pan-African Congress,

Representing our national governments, local and regional bodies, and civil society organizations, we emphasize the need to strengthen unity, cohesion, and international solidarity to promote integrated development of the continent by its diaspora and Afro-descendants,

Acknowledging and celebrating the richness of the Afro-descendant heritage, marked by a history of resilience, struggle, and significant contributions to global culture.

Taking note of the challenges facing diasporas and Afro-descendant communities, such as systemic discrimination, social injustice, unequal access to economic opportunities, limited education, and other obstacles that hinder the full potential of these populations.

Recognizing the importance of the contribution of African diasporas and Afro-descendants to the socio-economic, cultural, and scientific development of the continent.

Also recognizing the presence within African diasporas and Afro-descendants of distinguished intellectuals, businessmen and women, professionals, engineers, teachers, writers, doctors, diplomats, artists, and other skilled individuals,

Further acknowledging that African diasporas and Afro-descendants have financial resources that could be mobilized to address certain development challenges and thus offset the increased dependence on external aid,

Aware that collaboration between African diasporas, Afro-descendants, and African communities and institutions remains a powerful lever for socio-economic transformation of Africa to advance sustainable development.

Emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen the crucial role of African diasporas and Afro-descendants in the harmonious development process of Africa and the continent’s renaissance.

Also underscoring the need to strengthen unity, cohesion, and solidarity within the global African community so that it contributes qualitatively to the renaissance and development of Africa.

Recognizing the call of previous Pan-African congresses to collectively and solidly take practical measures for the sustainable development of the African continent, its diaspora, and Afro-descendants.

Taking note of the outcomes of the World Summit of the African Diaspora held in 2012, which endorsed the adoption of the five legacy projects: the African Institute for Remittances, the African Global Market, the Database of African Diaspora Professionals, the African Diaspora Global Fund, and the African Diaspora Volunteer Corps.

Aware of the urgent need for better structuring and coordination of programs and projects related to the African diaspora to promote their adequate implementation for the benefit of the continent’s populations.

Calling on African governments and pan-African institutions to take concerted action to valorize the expertise, skills, and multifaceted resources of African diasporas and Afro-descendants, to further enhance the well-being of the continent’s populations.

Emphasizing the need to support the role of the African Union as a focal point and coordinating center for diaspora initiatives on the continent.

The West Africa Regional Conference recommends:

• The establishment of an institutional framework at the African level for the representation of African diasporas and Afro-descendants, as well as its continental branches, to strengthen their engagement towards the renaissance and development of the African continent.
• The development of a comprehensive mapping of African diasporas and Afro-descendants.
• The implementation of a framework and mechanisms for coordination, collaboration, and support for African diasporas and Afro-descendants to better mobilize their potential in terms of investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge sharing, particularly in technology transfer.
• Adoption by African governments of special incentive measures for investment by African diasporas and Afro-descendants, such as tax relief, customs duty exemptions, or access to preferential financing.
• Streamlining regulations and commercial procedures to enable entrepreneurs from African diasporas and Afro-descendants to more easily establish and operate businesses in their countries of origin.

• Promoting knowledge and technology transfer among members of African diasporas and Afro-descendants, as well as local institutions, through research partnerships, technology exchange programs, and collaborative initiatives.

• Establishing funds or financial mechanisms to facilitate access to financing for entrepreneurs from African diasporas and Afro-descendants, reducing obstacles and risks associated with starting or expanding businesses.
• Creating networking platforms and online portals that connect members of African diasporas and Afro-descendants, local businesses, and government agencies.
• Designing and implementing capacity-building programs for African diasporas and Afro-descendants.

• Encouraging open and ongoing dialogue between African governments, African diasporas, and Afro-descendants through regular consultations and forums.

• Launching awareness campaigns to promote the engagement of African diasporas and Afro-descendants in contributing qualitatively and quantitatively to the economic and social development of the continent.

• The implementation of engagement strategies for organizations and associations of African diasporas and Afro-descendants to efficiently mobilize the resources, knowledge, and skills of members of African diasporas and Afro-descendants worldwide.

• The initiation of advocacy and political dialogue to influence decision-making processes in favor of policies supporting the engagement of African diasporas and Afro-descendants and their valuable contribution to the benefit of the continent’s populations.

• The promotion of inclusive development that recognizes and values the diversity of African diasporas and Afro-descendants.

• The participation of West African member states at the highest level in the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled in Lomé, Togolese Republic, from October 29th to November 2nd, 2024.

• The presentation of the aforementioned proposals by the AU High Committee at the 46th ordinary session of the Executive Council and the 39th ordinary session of the Conference of 

• Heads of State and Government of the African Union in February 2025.

• Promotion of inclusive development that recognizes and values the diversity of African diasporas and Afro-descendants.

• The creation of a Pan-African diaspora development agency.

• The promotion of decolonized education rooted in indigenous knowledge and opening them to new technologies.

• The adoption of an agenda for the creation of a structure representing the African diaspora.

• Reforming Africa’s governance system to adapt it to our realities.

• Identification of the various potentialities offered by multiple sectors driving the African economy, relying notably on the rich documentation existing from various authentic sources.

• Establishment of networking for a strong partnership between Africans established on the continent and those from the diaspora and Afro-descendants, as well as the direction of investments in key sectors including agro-industry, tourism, and infrastructure.

• Guiding diaspora investors with advice tailored to each economic ecosystem, taking into account their interests.

• The appropriation by African intellectuals of Africa’s history, as vectors for its transmission, aiming to deconstruct imported theories and other concepts not adapted to African realities.

• The valorization of indigenous African practices, imbued with humanism, such as the Ubuntu philosophy and the Maya philosophy.

• Respect for the intellectual property of African creative industries.

• The creation of a map of skills of the diaspora and Afro-descendants and structuring skill transfer through the creation of a diaspora skills bank.

• The reinforcement of the transfer of techniques and technologies.

• The creation of research and innovation hubs.

• The development of money transfer systems and the mobilization of popular savings.

• The endorsement of the conclusions of the 9th Congress by the African Union.