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People

The diaspora returns

Ethiopians abroad send home more than remittances. Increasingly, they send themselves.

6 min readMeron Haile

Remittances have long been one of Ethiopia's largest sources of foreign currency. The newer story is the return of skills — clinicians, engineers, founders and academics moving back with capital and networks attached.

Diaspora accounts, bonds and dedicated investment routes exist. What returnees consistently ask for is simpler: predictable regulation, functioning payment rails and quick company registration.

People do not come home for incentives. They come home when it works.

Diaspora enterprise forum