Over the years, many Lebanese have lived in West Africa for generations. This phenomenon leads to a beautiful cultural mix among the Lebanese in Africa. The Lebanese diaspora now dominates diverse sectors of the West African economy from hospitality to real estate as well as construction and manufacturing.
At present, in West Africa, there are a lot of Lebanese. There is a large population of Lebanese people in Côte D’Ivoire, whose numbers are variously estimated in the tens or hundreds of thousands. They are the largest Lebanese diaspora community in West Africa. Nigeria had the second largest concentration of Lebanese in the region.
They have become established communities throughout West Africa and their success in the region is all the more remarkable as building up business empires in these parts is often extremely difficult. Volatile political situations, corruption, excessive red tape and security issues all play a big part in whether one can thrive in business in West Africa. But the Lebanese tenacity, aptitude for business and drive to succeed mean they have been sown into the fabric of West African economics, politics and culture.
Motivations
Lebanese diaspora extended to incorporate West Africa from the 1860s, and most West African coastal countries today have established Lebanese communities that are several generations old. The Lebanese in West Africa have always been merchants, using their connections abroad to source goods for import, and like other migrant groups they use their family networks to keep their costs down.
Their presence continues to attract fresh immigrants, creating a situation, for instance, in Ghana, where there are Lebanese-Ghanaians, Lebanese permanent residents, Lebanese workers on work permits, and Lebanese tourists.
The Lebanese diaspora is estimated at 12 million people, out of a population of only 5.5 million. In spite of their long presence in Ghana, Lebanese political incorporation remains problematic, and one would describe even Lebanese-Ghanaians as passive citizens and not active citizens.
Lebanese migrants did not remain irretrievably wedded to the old country and its habits, or shed their former selves to meld into their new surroundings. But nor did they slump into a world-weary homelessness. Beings in the world, they dwelt in travel. Their lives were defined not by dislocation, but by constant strategic accommodation. Lebanese Arabs primary language is North Levantine Arabic.
The Lebanese immigration to West Africa was part of a much broader wave of immigration from Lebanon and Syria in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was primarily a wave of economic migration. But 250,000-odd Lebanese who live there the largest non-African group in the region are faring well. Since a second influx during the Lebanese civil war, their interests have expanded beyond small trading outlets.
Today, many will oversee vast business empires involved in construction, telecommunications and industry, which dominate import-export. Exporting African commodities Sierra Leone’s diamonds and Côte D’Ivoire’s cocoa and coffee has left some Lebanese incredibly rich.
In West Africa, Lebanese largely began as intermediaries in commodities trading as they had access to capital. They could raise money from extended family networks to set up modest trading operations, which only required trucks and rudimentary warehouses, if that. Buying low and selling high, Lebanese traders set their own margins, guaranteeing easy money for decades. Much of this capital flow has originated from Nigeria, where Lebanese immigrants settled as early as 1885.
Although they are spreading their culture in Africa, it should be pointed out that they, too, take a lot from African culture. In fact, in Dakar, for example, many Lebanese speak Wolof, the language of Senegal, perfectly. Throughout West Africa, the houses of the Lebanese contain a lot of local artwork. Moreover, in the Lebanese culture, people love to cook and discover new things.
Implications
Liberia constitution clause put in restricting citizenship to just those of African descent, creating “a refuge and a haven for freed men of colour”. In order to make the country more competitive, George Weah has sought the introduction of a law permitting dual-citizenship, as well as the ability for non-citizens to own land.
Concerns about the influx of Lebanese into the region and their growing economic influence have remained persistent for several decades; especially in Liberia, despite the country having one of the smallest Lebanese communities in West Africa, as many left the country following its descent into civil war.
In 2018, only between 3,000 – 4,000 Lebanese live in Liberia (compared to some 100,000 in Senegal) out of a total population of some four million. Despite this low number, many Liberians feel as threatened as they did during the height of Lebanese immigration several decades ago.
Fear mongering about the economic control exerted by Lebanese in Liberia often follows election cycles, with various politicians regularly accusing their rivals of being in the pocket of the Lebanese. This kind of dog whistle politicking only normalizes and reinforces existing prejudices against Lebanese and other non-Liberians in the country.
Tackling Illicit Financial Flows for Sustainable Development in Africa
In 2016, 41 percent of gold imports came from the West African countries of Togo, Ghana, Benin, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. When asked why gold transits through Lebanon rather than being exported directly to refineries in countries like Switzerland or South Africa.
The Lebanese have discovered that the best way of surviving, where the regime you’re doing business with could be overthrown tomorrow, is to court the powerful – whoever they are. And an aspiring West African “big man” knows he has to do business with the Lebanese if he has any hope of getting rich.
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