Mrs Kaaout, a French Moroccan politician and social activist, said the goal of the Commission was to federate African diaspora associations and actively involve home countries in projects spanning development, education, health and skills transfer.  

She said united diasporas, working closely with people in their countries of origin, could make a stronger and more meaningful impact. 

She made the call during a courtesy visit to Ambassador Erica Bennette, Head of the Diaspora Africa Forum, in Accra. 

Mrs Kaaout explained that the HCDAF was a unique federation bringing together nearly 1,800 African diaspora organisations in France, many of which lacked guidance on how to effectively support development initiatives.  

She noted that the Commission had been established to provide direction and coordination, adding that it worked closely with DAF and the Diaspora Embassy, which she described as the first and only diplomatic embassy of its kind in the world. 

She stressed that Africa’s strength lay in its unity, saying a united diaspora was a powerful force for the future.  

“I dreamed of an Africa shining through its global children. Today that dream is organising itself and taking shape. Racism and weak organisational structures in the past have limited advocacy for Africans in the diaspora,” she said. 

Mrs Kaaout said her organisation brought together members from 32 African origins who were implementing small-scale but impactful projects in education, agriculture and artificial intelligence, while also working on electrification initiatives to support technological advancement.  

She said the Commission worked directly with countries of origin, encouraging them to identify priority projects for diaspora support. 

She cited the establishment of a nursing school and ongoing efforts to build a federation of African women’s agricultural cooperatives as examples of practical interventions. 

Ambassador Bennette described Mrs Kaaout as President of an independent organisation founded to support African diaspora communities in France.  

She clarified that the HCDAF was not part of the French Government but a self-initiated body aligned with the aspirations of African Heads of State for diaspora communities to organise themselves effectively. 

Ambassador Bennette said DAF was excited to partner with the Commission and the Diaspora Embassy to expand the model globally and establish diaspora commissions around the world, including efforts to strengthen Africa’s “sixth region” – the diaspora. 

She said the partnership encouraged Africans abroad to support their villages and communities, describing the union between the organisations as a “blessed union” that would inspire others to follow.