Last week, I had the honor of speaking at the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit on November 5, and it was truly an inspiring experience! 

Gathering alongside brilliant minds and passionate diaspora members, we explored how we can channel our resources and expertise to drive meaningful change for Nigeria’s future.

As members of the diaspora, we often feel that pull to support our homeland. It’s about more than just financial investment—it’s about connecting on a deeper level. I shared three key recommendations for how we, as diaspora investors, can make the biggest impact:

• Re-imagine the Diaspora Investor's ROI: Build strong relationships between investors and local communities and entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Beyond financial support, it’s important to understand the investor and local community needs, challenges, and dreams. Relationship-building lays the foundation for impactful partnerships and, ultimately, meaningful growth.
• Deepen Homeland Engagement Opportunities: Create immersive, personal experiences that deepen connection for the diaspora investor and the local business. When diaspora investors visit, engage, and build memories in their homeland, they foster bonds that go beyond transactions. These experiences help us invest our hearts in our shared vision for success.
• Create Pathways for Skills Transfer: Offer mentorship and knowledge-sharing between diaspora investors and local entrepreneurs. Local Nigerian entrepreneurs and diaspora investors are both eager to learn and have valuable insights to offer. By organizing regular meetups, virtual or in-person, we can create spaces where ideas, guidance, and networks flow freely.

Diaspora investors have a unique opportunity to shape Nigeria’s future by nurturing not just the businesses but the people driving them.

You can watch my full remarks here and if you would like to learn more about the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, visit www.ndisng.com.

If you're interested in diaspora consulting or coaching services from The Diaspora Academy, don’t hesitate to contact us.