By Gideon Maxwell
21 September 2026
Former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has addressed a high-level session on diaspora capital and development finance on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The event was convened by AU-ECOSOCC, the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, WIDU.africa, the Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate, the African Union Commission, Future Perspectives and other partners.
Osinbajo said he was honoured to speak at the gathering.
As he highlighted in his address, an important goal of the Africa-Diaspora Investment Corridor is to achieve interoperability for African markets and investors.
He stressed that potential investors need a trusted pathway to identify and invest in credible opportunities across African markets.
“They need a trusted corridor, a trusted investment corridor,” he said.
Using Nigeria’s 2017 diaspora bond as an example, he noted how familiar regulatory standards and investor confidence can help mobilise diaspora capital.
He argued that key structures already exist, including CIDO, the African Institute for Remittances and national investment agencies.
What was missing was the connection between them.
“What was missing was never just another institution. What was missing was the connection, the gateway between the ones we already had.”
The proposed Corridor would serve as a trusted entry point linking national investment systems, verified opportunities, diaspora investors and financial institutions.
It would not replace existing institutions.
Wider discussions focused on harnessing diaspora resources for Africa’s transformation and inclusive development through the Corridor.
Key insights came from Hon Seidu Issifou, Ghanaian Minister of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability.
Also contributing were Mrs Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, and Senator James Sanders Jr, New York State Senator for the 10th District and Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Banks.
Participants called for a shift from remittances alone towards structured investment, knowledge exchange and shared prosperity.
The conversation was described as the beginning of a broader process to make diaspora engagement more inclusive and commercially productive.
