Diaspora Policies in Africa: Vertical and Horizontal Policy Diffusion

Abstract

This paper examines diaspora policy diffusion in Africa by analyzing measures adopted by 54 African countries, the African Union, and the United Nations. It investigates vertical diffusion by comparing national and international measures, and horizontal diffusion by identifying cross-country and regional trends. The findings reveal a bidirectional interplay among national, regional, and global influences that shape diaspora policies. In the early stages, nationally led approaches had limited international alignment, but they gradually evolved toward greater convergence with international frameworks and stronger regional diffusion within clusters. Vertical and horizontal diffusion increasingly reinforce each other. The paper proposes an analytical framework to investigate vertical and horizontal policy diffusion across three scenarios. Challenging the prevailing view of unidirectional diffusion, it highlights the agency of African states in shaping diaspora engagement approaches.