Written by Laj-K Dr. Alhaji K. Tarawally
This is Africa’s reclamation plan against U.S. migration pull – a Sierra Leonean’s vision. In an era of globalisation, the ease with which skilled individuals from sub-Saharan African countries can move abroad has reached a critical point of urgency. American immigration policies have strategically attracted talent to fill labour shortages, exacerbating the brain drain. Factors such as poverty, war, disease, political persecution, and the allure of a better life continue to push Africa’s brightest minds across the oceans. However, these policies often transform short-term visits into permanent departures, leaving countries like Sierra Leone in dire need of innovative and educated professionals essential for national growth.
I am thrilled to announce that my first book will soon be available as an e-book and print-on demand paperback on Apple and Amazon’s global marketplace. This book examines how U.S. immigration policies contribute to the brain drain from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States. It explores the key factors that push people away from their home countries and pull them towards the U.S. while suggesting practical policy solutions.
At its heart, the book shows how U.S. immigration policies act as a strong magnet for highly educated professionals from sub-Saharan Africa, making the brain drain worse. This term, first used by the British Royal Society in the 1950s to describe skilled Europeans moving to North America, now highlights Africa’s challenges. The book looks at push factors, such as economic instability, limited job opportunities, poor infrastructure in places like Sierra Leone, and pull factors, such as higher pay, better facilities, and career prospects in the U.S. Through a fresh perspective, my book adds new insights to global academia, covering topics like migration, economics, international relations, and diplomacy.
The scale of this migration is worrying, backed by solid data. The World Bank reported in 2007 that about 3 million documented Africans live in North America, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa. More recent research by Tankwanchi (2013) from Vanderbilt University showed a 40% increase in educated doctors migrating from 28 sub-Saharan African countries to the U.S. over the past decade, often exceeding the total number of doctors in some nations. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimated that by 2026, around 4.2 million sub-Saharan African immigrants will be in the U.S., making up 10% of the foreign-born population. These immigrants are often highly qualified, with higher education levels and stronger workforce participation than the average U.S. immigrant (Lorenzi & Batalova, 2022). Today, it is estimated that 40% of sub Saharan Africa’s top talent, including scientists and engineers, live abroad, with many from West Africa, such as Sierra Leone, building careers in the U.S. (Benedict & Upkere, 2012; El-Khawas, 2004).
The book is not just a diagnosis of the problem but a prescription for change. It discusses the benefits of remittances, such as the money migrants send home to support their families and boost local economies. However, it also warns of the long-term damage, such as Sierra Leone’s difficulty retaining skilled workers. To address this, the book proposes practical ideas like incentives for returnees, better local education systems, and agreements between African countries and the U.S. These solutions offer hope in the fight against brain drain.
My vision drives this work: turning brain drain into brain gain. For Sierra Leone, this could mean stronger capacity building, economic progress, and improved healthcare and education—aligning with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) goals. The book presents Sierra Leone as a potential leader in using diaspora knowledge for development, setting an example for other African nations.
My journey adds depth to this project. Seven years after earning my double master’s degrees and PhD in Germany, the UK, Italy, and the U.S., I am excited to reach this milestone. My varied experiences, including working in the field of migration and development in Sierra Leone, make the book a reliable and practical guide that bridges theory and reality. It invites teachers, policymakers, and students worldwide to join the conversation on Africa’s migration story, promoting a more inclusive global dialogue.
In summary, this book is more than a critique—it is a catalyst for change. It is a call to action that could help Sierra Leone retain and attract talent. By encouraging a rethink of immigration policies, it aims to ensure that sub-Saharan Africa’s intellectual resources benefit the region first. As the world eagerly anticipates its release, Dr Alhaji K. Tarawally’s book is poised to inspire change, showing how one voice from Sierra Leone can resonate across continents and spark a movement towards a more equitable distribution of talent.
