Immigration Is a Nucleus of Economic Development in Africa

Abstract

This chapter demystifies the world view that holds that immigration is motivated by poor people who become the burden to the host countries. It has unearthed that poverty is just a manifestation of a bigger issue which is underdevelopment. Underdevelopment causes migration because the livelihood has been colonised and neo-colonialism continues doing that to this date. This underdevelopment gave rise to poverty, unemployment, inequality, and poor governance. Therefore, immigration is hugely influenced by underdevelopment. Migrants carry along entrepreneurship skills which they also transfer to host countries. However, they also face challenges in the host countries such as discrimination in the allocation of resources such as health and education. The host citizens fear the competition from the new people who have arrived in their country. The African Union should discuss the development of the continent and resolve the underdevelopment through the natural resources the continent has instead of taking it to Europe to perpetuate the notion of underdevelopment.