The Impact of Brain Drain on Economic Development in Africa: a Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Brain drain is also known as human capital flight and means the emigration of trained and talented individuals to other nations or jurisdictions therefore losing investment in higher education and also the social capital in one's country. The impact of brain drain on economic development of African countries is investigated in this study. Specifically, it researches this phenomenon on the case study of Kenya. The effects of brain drain are assessed on economic development in Kenya, by seeking to examine the extent of brain drain in Kenya, its direct and indirect impacts and to proffer suggestions on how to reverse the trend. Professionals in the nursing, teaching, engineering sector were interviewed to give their views on causes, effects and strategies to mitigate of brain drain in Kenya. Implications of brain drain on economic development in Kenya include the loss of human capital, class stratification, mass returnees, private investment and consumption, remittance relieving, unemployment, experienced returnees and brain circulation. It is recommended that the government should improve incentives for migrants to remit for example by permitting its nationals working abroad to hold foreign currency bank accounts and finally to keep professional in the country by providing better employment and career opportunities, establish programmes to lure emigrants back home.