Shaping African Development Policy: The Research Excellence of Clement and Suhayb

What began as exceptional coursework in an Econometrics class has evolved into published research with far-reaching implications for African development. In 2023, two Ashinaga Scholars studying in Japan—Clement from Ghana and Suhayb from Somalia—caught their professor’s attention with their outstanding final papers, which offered fresh perspectives on African economic challenges.

Recognizing the potential impact of their work, their professor encouraged them to transform their assignments into research papers. Over the next year, Clement and Suhayb devoted themselves to rigorous academic research, collecting data, conducting detailed analyses, and crafting professional manuscripts under the expert guidance of the professor. Their dedication paid off with the publication of two papers in respected academic journals.

Their first paper, published in Cogent Social Sciences, titled “Should I Stay or Leave? The Effect of Remittances in the Sub-Saharan Region,” explores the complex dynamics of remittances in Africa. The research reveals an interesting paradox – while remittances provide short-term financial stability, they can inadvertently encourage migration and impede long-term development, particularly in politically volatile regions. The Scholars propose approaches to channel remittances into sustainable local investments, fostering development rather than dependence.

In their second publication, “The Incentives of International Mobility, Recognition of Foreign Society and Culture Through Trade and International Aid,” featured in The Economics and Finance Letters, they investigate Japan’s relationship with African migration. The study examines how Japan’s trade policies and international aid influence African migration patterns, particularly among students and skilled professionals while highlighting the role of cross-cultural exchange in international mobility.

These publications demonstrate how scholarly research can address real-world challenges. Through their work, Clement and Suhayb have shown how economic theory can be applied to tackle concrete development challenges in Africa. They aspire to use their insights to influence policies that promote sustainable development in their home countries and across Africa.