Our Goal
To secure formal Right of Abode and residency pathways for descendants of enslaved Africans across African Union member states.
CRDEA advocates to the African Union and its member states, demonstrating the benefits of granting the Right to Return to descendants of enslaved Africans. Current engagement includes formal policy proposals submitted to Kenya and Botswana, alongside continued advocacy across the Greater African Community.
Benefits to African Union Member States
Granting the right to return to descendants of trafficked Africans during the transatlantic slave trade carries clear benefits for the African Union and its member states.
Social Cohesion and Historical Reconciliation
Formal residency pathways acknowledge the historical displacement of the transatlantic slave trade and support reconciliation between diaspora descendants and communities on the continent.
Diaspora Investment and Engagement
A structured right of return strengthens diaspora ties to the continent, supporting increased direct investment, remittances, and philanthropic engagement in host economies.
Cultural Exchange and Shared Heritage
Structured return pathways deepen cultural exchange between diaspora communities and African nations, reinforcing shared traditions and heritage.
Skills and Knowledge Transfer
Many descendants have built professional careers across a wide range of fields. Structured residency allows member states to draw on this expertise directly, supporting human capital development. development.
Economic Growth and Development
Skilled and entrepreneurial diaspora investors contribute to new business formation, employment, and innovation within host economies.
Diaspora Heritage Tourism
Structured return pathways attract diaspora tourists seeking connection to ancestral history, supporting tourism revenue and cultural exchange programming.
International and Diplomatic Standing
Demonstrating openness to diaspora return strengthens the international profile and diplomatic relationships of African Union member states.
Regional Integration
A coordinated, continent-wide approach to diaspora return supports the African Union’s broader regional integration objectives.
Get Involved
CRDEA was established in response to the practical barriers facing descendants of enslaved Africans seeking to return to the continent. Individuals navigating this process today often encounter inconsistent guidance, and in some cases, unregulated intermediaries. CRDEA’s policy work is aimed at establishing clear, government-recognized pathways so that returning descendants, many of whom bring established professional experience and investment capital, can contribute to their new communities with certainty and legal standing.