It is no secret that the African community in the diaspora is growing by the day. There is a sharp increase in the number of people who are interested and willing to strengthen and empower communities back home. By sending money and making investments back home, they show a strong desire to not just connect Africa to the world, but to also give back to home. That is why we sat down with a formidable figure in the financial space to discuss the roles the African community in the diaspora play when it comes to empowerment.
Kaoshi Network: “Hi Kalu, can we meet you?”
Kalu: “Hi, my name is Kalu Aja, and I am a financial advisor. I currently reside in the United States of America.”
Kaoshi Network: “How would you explain the African community in the diaspora to someone who hasn’t experienced it before? What stands out to you?”
Kalu: “Well, it is varied. There are a lot of people here at many levels and opportunities. Some come in trying to find their feet, some have been here for a while well established. One thing I’d say that is uniform across the board is the ability to plan and say where you want to be in x number of years. You can plan here. Back home, there are different and more contingencies. You can plan for a career, a house, relocation etc. Different people come here with different desires, but the one thing that binds everyone is the fact that if you work hard, you’re guaranteed to succeed. It’s down to your own efforts, if you work hard, you can plan, and you’re guaranteed to succeed.
It’s all on you. There are people who come in here and are from places where the government determines whether you succeed or not but it’s not like that here. It’s all on you.”
Kaoshi Network: “We know you are an avid Kaoshi Network user, and we want to ask, how has Kaoshi Network helped you connect with home and bridge that gap?”
Kalu: “For me, it’s essentially welfare and payments back home. Supporting friends and family back home. I use it to send money back and it’s very easy with the setup, and you can go back and forth with naira and dollar. I have an aunty here in the states that’s retired and gets her pension in naira, and she sends naira to the states. I do the other way round; I do welfare payments back home. It’s quite useful and easy to set up and use too.”
Kaoshi Network: “Following up that question, do you have friends and family that also send money back home from the diaspora? Are there any such people in your circle?”
Kalu: “Yeah! Everyone I know, not just Nigerians but people in the diaspora send money back home. Could be through the bank or courier. But everyone I know sends money back home for one thing or the other; it could be through the wire, some do with Kaoshi or with physical cash if someone is travelling down home. They send for various reasons; it could be for business, welfare, savings etc.
Kaoshi Network: “How would you say the African community in the diaspora has grown from the time you got there up until now?”
Kalu: “I think they’re just more people. When I got here, there were mostly West Africans. Now I see a lot of East Africans and South Africans, that’s the main thing I think I see.
Also, the jobs. A lot of folks are into healthcare now. There’s also a lot of movement now as well. Before it used to be on the east coast and the south where you find a lot of Africans but now, they’re more in the northern side like Alaska and Washington. It’s like a broadening out of people, the demographic is broader and the type of jobs they go into as well. A lot of people go to school more trying to get into the American mainstream. Everyone is more aspirational now.”
Kaoshi Network: “Finally, what would your advice be to someone who desires to be part of that community? Someone who is just getting there and wants to settle, any tips?”
Kalu: “Well, there are a few tips. If you’re young, join the military and go to school, they pay for your tuition. That’s a 2-in-1 package. You also get lots of benefits. That helps. Going to school is very important especially if you’re young, it gives you a pathway. If you’re older, learn a skill, anything you do with your hands has more benefits and has a lot of power.”
Kaoshi Network: “Thank you so much for your time Kalu.”
Kalu: “Thank you for having me here.”
