These pages explore shared histories and connections between communities. They cannot, and do not, determine any individual’s ancestry or ethnic identity.
The African Union defines the African diaspora as people of African origin living outside the continent, whatever their citizenship or nationality, who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union. Its Executive Council adopted this definition in 2005.
The Union’s founding law commits it to invite and encourage the full participation of the diaspora as an important part of the continent. Within the AU Commission, a Diaspora Division works to include the diaspora in the Union’s programmes, including Agenda 2063.
The definition is open by design: it rests on origin and commitment, not on passports.