Remittances: Maximizing Their Impact on African Development

This essay critiques the over-reliance on remittances in Africa, arguing that while they provide a crucial safety net for families, they do not address deeper structural issues like poor governance and systemic inequality. It examines how remittances can alleviate transient poverty but may also hinder local industry growth and fuel political influence or corruption. The essay concludes that sustainable progress requires better governance and stronger institutions, alongside leveraging remittances more strategically for long-term development. Remittances alone are not a solution to Africa’s challenges.