Diaspora policy in Ethiopia: institutional dimension

Abstract

The article touches upon the new branch of Ethiopian public policy – diaspora politics. This sphere is considered through the prism of the evolution of key state institutions designed to regulate the contacts of Ethiopian citizens and state with compatriots living abroad. The modern Ethiopian diaspora is a complex phenomenon given its multi-ethnic and multi-religious, geographically unevenly distributed composition. Moreover, its representatives do not always have legal status in a receiving country. Despite this, in recent decades, the Ethiopian authorities have done a lot to establish a dialogue with the diaspora and attract its resources for the social and economic development of the country. The study examines the main objectives of Ethiopia’s diaspora policy, the development of a system of state institutions in this field, the influence of different Ethiopian identities on the contacts of the Ethiopian government with the diaspora, the role of the diaspora in the inflow of foreign investment into the country, the main problems and difficulties hampering the effective interaction between the Government and the Ethiopian diaspora abroad. Conclusions on possible prospects of diaspora policy of Ethiopia at the present stage have been drawn.