Nigeria led Africa in remittance inflows for 13 of the past 24 years

  • Egypt had the highest total remittance inflows across all years in the dataset.
  • Nigeria was consistently among the top 3 recipients every year, topping the chart for 13 years.
  • Morocco and Ghana showed strong, stable inflows throughout the 2000–2023 period.
  • Kenya and Senegal experienced some of the fastest remittance growth from 2000 to recent years.
  • Rwanda had high percentage growth, though starting from a small base.
  • A noticeable dip occurred in 2020 for most countries, likely linked to COVID-19 — followed by recovery in 2021 and 2022.

When remittances slow, life gets tougher for some families.
Some tighten belts or find new ways to make ends meet.
But for those relying solely on that cash, rent piles up, and meals get leaner.

Between 2000 and 2023, Nigeria topped Africa’s remittance inflow for 13 years. But Egypt’s diaspora — especially in the Gulf — has narrowed the gap. Morocco and Ghana stayed steady. Kenya and Senegal took off, thanks to mobile money.
Angola, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea barely moved.

From $9.7 billion in 2000 to $94.8 billion in 2023, Africa’s remittance inflow jumped 878%.

Source:

World Bank - KNOMAD

Period:

2000-2023
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
India's remittance inflow grew by 828% in 24 years — maintaining the top spot for 21 of them
  • India led globally for 21 of 24 years, followed by China (2) and Mexico (1)
  • No African country ever topped global remittance inflow rankings
  • Nigeria ranked among the top 10 recipients for several of the years
  • India’s dominance reflects its large global diaspora and steady labour migration
  • China’s brief lead came in the early 2000s but it was overtaken quickly
  • Mexico in the top spot for one year was tied to strong remittance links with the US
  • The top countries rarely changed, showing a stable global remittance pattern
  • Most global leaders have large populations abroad in high-income economies
  • Global remittances remain a major economic lifeline for developing countries
Malawi recorded its biggest year-on-year growth rate in remittance in 2003 with 1547.5%
Malawi's remittance inflow increased from $747k in 2000 to $263.4 million in 2023, with the highest year-on-year growth rate recorded in 2003. However, the biggest gain in value occurred in 2018, when it increased by $102.2 million over 2017.
Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco have consistently led Africa's remittance receipts since 2000
Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco have consistently led Africa's diaspora remittance, contributing 67% of the continent's total inflows since 2000. In 2023, African nations received $94.78 billion, with Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco leading. Here are the top ten countries since 2000.
Africa’s remittance boom: From $9.7 billion to nearly $100 billion in 2021
Africa's remittance inflow nearly reached $100 billion in 2021, driven by contributions from Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco, the top recipients on the continent. Growing from $9.7 billion in 2000 to $97.6 billion in 2021, highlights the crucial role of the African diaspora.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved