African Countries Send Workers Abroad to Boost Economy
Hundreds of young Kenyans are lining up at job fairs, hoping to find work abroad as part of a government plan to tackle unemployment.
According to Reuters, Kenya aims to send one million workers overseas this year to countries like Germany, Denmark, and others in Europe and the Middle East. These workers will earn higher wages and send money back home, which could help Kenya’s economy grow.
Kenya’s Labour Minister, Alfred Mutua, told Reuters that the country sees its people as a valuable resource.
“We can export our labor and make much money,” he said. With about a million Kenyans joining the workforce each year but only a fifth finding formal jobs, the government sees overseas employment as a solution.
This strategy isn’t new. Countries like the Philippines and Bangladesh have been sending workers abroad for decades to boost their economies. However, in Africa, this approach has been less common. Now, with aging populations in rich countries creating labour shortages, African nations like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania are stepping in to fill the gap.
For example, Ethiopia plans to send 700,000 workers abroad this year, while Tanzania is negotiating deals with countries like the UAE. Kenya has already helped over 200,000 people find jobs overseas in the past two years, according to Reuters.
But there are challenges. In Germany, where Kenya signed a deal to send skilled workers, anti-immigration sentiment is growing. Right-wing parties there have criticized the agreement, arguing that only highly skilled professionals should be allowed to immigrate. Despite this, German officials say the country needs workers, especially in sectors like healthcare and hospitality.
For Kenyans, working abroad isn’t easy. Many face high recruitment fees, language barriers, and cold weather. Still, people like Ian Kiprono, a nursing student in Germany, say the experience is worth it. “Germany is a nice place,” he told Reuters, though he admits the cold weather is a big adjustment.
Back in Kenya, critics argue that sending workers abroad is a short-term fix. They say the government should focus on creating jobs at home instead of relying on remittances. There are also concerns about losing skilled workers, especially in healthcare, where Kenya already faces shortages.
Despite the criticism, many Kenyans are eager to work abroad. At a job fair in Machakos, jobseekers lined up in the rain for a chance to interview with recruiters.
Nicholas Mutunga Mwongela, who has worked in Saudi Arabia, hopes to get a job in Poland. “Once I get the money, I think I’ll be going,” he said.
While sending workers abroad offers hope for many, it also raises questions about the long-term impact on African economies and societies.
This report is based on information from Reuters, a trusted news source.