Increased remittances will have greater impact on development - Interview: Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development

Abstract

Migrants sent around $450 billion in remittances to developing countries in 2015, 40% of which went to rural areas. On 16 June, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the UN agency tasked with eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries, celebrated the International Day of Family Remittances to draw attention to how the money migrants send home contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Africa Renewal’s Franck Kuwonu talked to the president of IFAD, Gilbert Houngbo, about the impact remittances are having in receiving countries.