If immigration is an old phenomenon in Africa, a much more worrying movement of Africans has been observed for almost two years. Canada is the new paradise destination for many Africans in search of a better life. Dangerously, but surely, African cities are being emptied of their human capacity. The first to be taken are young people under 35. According to statisticians, African countries at this rate will lose more than a quarter of their population in 10 years, alarming figures to say the least.
Corrupt Governments, the Main Culprits
There is one important fact to note in this new migratory trend, only intellectuals are leaving. African human capital, which is the most important for its development, is undermined. A quick glance at the list of these migrants shows, among others, engineers, literature graduates, doctors, teachers, journalists, etc.
In Cameroon, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) states that for 2023 alone, around 100,000 young people have asked for visas for Canada. More than 70,000 have been accepted and the remainder is still being processed. Dr. Nzemie Marcial , a migrant, states that: “a doctor in Cameroon receives 200 thousand FCFA per month, a ridiculous amount when you have expenses and with the growing costs of living. I prefer to go to Canada, there, I would receive around 3000 dollars, the equivalent of 2 million FCFA.”
Several other French-speaking countries in Africa are in the same boat. Governments are therefore challenged. They want to put in place mechanisms that create local jobs while also promoting development.
The Canadian Government Needs
Canada is certainly the beneficiary of this social African instability. The Canadian government wants to strengthen its workforce against its aging population. This immigration strategy is enshrined on the Canadian development plan.
Marc Miller, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, affirmed at a press conference this Wednesday, November 1 that: “The idea is to attract the skills and talents we need to fill the labor shortages and ensure Canada’s economic prosperity, help families reunite and remain leaders in refugee relocation.” However, Canada plans to stabilize the number of immigrants at 500,000 by 2026. For him, priority will be given to health professionals and construction workers. Trades that have been in serious shortage for several years in Canada.
