JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Sudan-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim says the migration of Africans to Europe and North America should be viewed as a positive phenomenon, not a threat.
Experts said during a conference hosted by Ibrahim’s foundation that Africans make up about 14% of the global migrant population, a much smaller share than the 41% from Asia and 23% from Europe.
The conference in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, ended Sunday.
Ibrahim said in an interview that statistics also show that Europe isn’t being flooded with Africans because 70% of African migrants remain on the continent.
The 72-year-old philanthropist earned his fortune by establishing the Celtel mobile phone network across Africa. He now lives in Britain.
He says African countries should have better education and employment opportunities for young people.
Ibrahim’s foundation publishes an annual index to encourage good governance in Africa.