The idea that migration is closely linked to development has long been pervasive on the African continent.
The main reason for this is that migrants – those travelling from rural to urban areas, as well as across borders – send home remittances. This money helps to pay for houses, school fees, hospital visits, weddings and funerals, to name just a few of its uses.
Scholars and policy makers acknowledge that remittances vastly outweigh development assistance. Take one example: in Senegal, remittances made up just over 10% of GDP in 2017, and overseas development assistance just over 4%.