You’re Africa’s bridge to the world, Dabiri-Erewa tells diaspora professionals
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Africans living abroad to embrace their unique role as a bridge between the continent and the rest of the world by driving innovation, investment and sustainable development in Africa.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call on Friday while speaking as a special guest at the 2026 Black Engineering Week (BEW) in San Jose, California, where the theme was “Africans in Diaspora as Bridge Builders.”
The event brought together engineers, technology founders, investors and industry leaders from across the globe.
Addressing the gathering, the NiDCOM boss challenged diaspora professionals to channel their expertise, influence and resources toward accelerating Africa’s technological and economic transformation.
“You left the continent. But you never really left,” she told participants, stressing that Africans abroad remain deeply connected to their homeland through knowledge, innovation and global networks.
Rejecting the long-standing narrative of “brain drain,” Dabiri-Erewa described Africans in the diaspora as a source of “brain gain” and “brain circulation,” arguing that their global contributions are simultaneously advancing technology worldwide while creating new opportunities for Africa.
“You live in two worlds and refuse to choose. You connect them. That is engineering at its highest level,” she said.
According to her, diaspora professionals already contribute significantly through three major channels—talent, capital and credibility.
She noted that although Black and African engineers remain underrepresented in Silicon Valley, many are playing leading roles in developing technologies that are shaping the future.
Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that NiDCOM is collaborating with state governments and diaspora partners on initiatives aimed at verifying Nigerian talent, expanding remote work opportunities and making it easier for international companies to recruit highly skilled professionals from Nigeria.
On the economic potential of the diaspora, she highlighted the enormous value of remittances sent home by Nigerians abroad, saying that if strategically redirected into productive investments, the funds could become a major driver of industrialisation, entrepreneurship, climate technology and venture capital development.
She also emphasised the growing influence of Nigerians and other Africans occupying leadership positions in global technology companies, noting that their achievements continue to enhance Africa’s global image and inspire a new generation of innovators across the continent.
Dabiri-Erewa urged diaspora professionals to intentionally give back by mentoring young people, creating employment opportunities and investing in startups and emerging entrepreneurs.
She also challenged African governments to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and create policies that encourage diaspora participation in national development.
“We must build enabling environments that make it easier and more attractive for diaspora professionals to invest, collaborate and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s growth,” she said.
Calling for deeper partnerships between Silicon Valley institutions and African universities, Dabiri-Erewa advocated expanded internship programmes, fellowships, research collaborations and innovation initiatives capable of unlocking opportunities for Africa’s population of more than 1.4 billion people.
Referencing the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., she said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,” adding that today’s interconnected world is powered by technology, innovation, capital and people.
She expressed confidence that Africa is well positioned not only to produce the world’s next billion digital users but also the engineers and innovators who will develop solutions for the future.
The event also featured a Founders Showcase sponsored by Adobe in partnership with San Jose State University and the Black Engineers Network, bringing together engineers, investors, startup founders and innovators for panel discussions, startup pitches and conversations focused on strengthening diaspora engagement with Africa.
