Kenya will be the host of the African Institute Remittance (AIR), a decision made by the African Union (AU) Executive Council.

The AIR Project was launched with funding from the European Commission while the World Bank was responsible for overall implementation and execution of the project, in collaboration with the African Development Bank and the International Organization for Migration.

The Council asked the African Union Commission to conclude the Host Agreement with the Republic of Kenya so as to ensure the formal take-off of the Institute this year. It also asked the World Bank and other development partners to support the Institute. The Institute is scheduled to be fully operational by 2015.

“I am delighted that the Executive Council has decided that the Republic of Kenya will host the AIR. The establishment of AIR, the first of its kind in the world, is a cornerstone in harnessing Diaspora resources for social and economic development in Africa”, said Dr. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissioner of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission.

The decision to select Kenya was determined in the 24^th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council which met 7 to 28 January 2014 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Kenya was one of the member countries that showed interest in hosting the AIR secretariat.

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