What are some of the dilemmas faced by African professionals in the diaspora as they consider how, if and when to turn their attention homeward?

Six years ago – in May 2006 – ReConnect Africa.com was created to provide professionals of African origin, and particularly those outside of their home countries or countries of origin, with a platform on which to share information, concerns, opinions and aspirations.

Six years ago, the plan was to showcase role models from our communities and to share the lessons and collective wisdom gained by those who have succeeded with those seeking success.

The past six years has seen a remarkable turnaround in the perception and brand of Africa, at least for many in the business and investment communities. From 'the hopeless continent' derided by The Economist, Africa is now what the billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros calls ''one of the few bright spots on the gloomy global economic horizon".

However, for the many professionals of African origin living in the UK, Europe, North America and other parts of the developed and developing world, some of the dilemmas faced six years ago as they considered how, if and when to turn their attention homeward, have persisted. Success stories, both high-profile and low-key, can be found about those who have gone to work in either their home country or other parts of the African continent. At the same time, some who have tried, or are trying to make the transition, have found it difficult and untenable.

One of the big dilemmas faced by any returning member of the diaspora to Africa is how far to bend in order to fall in line with what pertains at home. For many returnees born and bred in Africa, even a relatively short period of work or study abroad can make the shift back home a challenging experience.

Adjusting to different norms is not always seen as an improvement. The famous (or infamous) African approach to time and punctuality is a case in point. As many at home will tell you, rushing to get to a meeting on time when you will be the only one there, is pointless. If everyone understands that this is how it works, all well and good. Yet for those who were trained, or retrained, to see time as money and punctuality as a basic courtesy, it can more likely lead to a falling out with friends and colleagues who, in turn, see you as forgetful of your origins and an unwelcome importer of foreign ideas and attitudes.

For those who have a historical link to Africa but no past experience of living in an African country and no understanding of these norms, falling in line can be a major test of one's patience and ability to adapt.

For those intent on building their careers and businesses outside Africa and with no immediate plans to return, another dilemma is often how to engage with their countries of origin and to offer support in developing their home economies.

The multi-billion remittances, in the form of money sent home to family and friends, have become a major talking point as foreign and African governments struggle to find ways to leverage the huge sums sent back and the goodwill of those doing the sending.

As our Events listing on ReConnect Africa.com illustrates, there is no shortage of conferences and seminars held by or for Africans in the diaspora looking for ways to channel support and skills to Africa. African diaspora-led organisations have developed many innovative initiatives and programmes to support diaspora investment and business development, as well as skills and personnel exchanges.

In the course of my work with Africans abroad, another dilemma I often come across can best be described as a mix of guilt, patriotism and personal ambition.

As one coaching client put it, 'I love my country and I feel that I should be there doing my share to improve it, but I know I can do better for my career if I stay in the UK and get some work experience here before I try and go back to Africa.'

For people like my client, the dilemma is whether, at this point in their lives, home should be where their heart is or where their wallet needs to be replenished. This isn't to say that Africa doesn't offer opportunities to get rich – indeed, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary – but for those on particular career tracks, gaining international experience is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for future success in their countries of origin.

While many Africans abroad are actively pursuing opportunities to live and work in Africa, others are more likely to see any return to the continent as the end game – when their principal career has come to an end and either retirement or some form of self-employment or business makes their return viable.

In some cases, family ties and obligations such as school-aged children result in people playing the long game. In others, financial obligations such as mortgages, loans, health considerations and other constraints make a return in the short or even medium term unlikely.

Our aim is that the articles, interviews, opinions and experiences that we highlight on ReConnect Africa will help our readers to find their own solutions to these and the many other dilemmas faced by those living as minorities in their host countries.

As the American entertainer, Will Rogers, said, "A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people." So, as we celebrate the start of our 6th year, our plan and our prayer is to keep you reading our publication and to continue to use ReConnect Africa.com to help bring together the best and smartest of Africa with the best and smartest from Africa.

Author of 'Everyday Heroes – Learning from the Careers of Successful Black Professionals'. Available online from www.everyday-heroes.co.uk and on order through booksellers. ISBN 978-0-9569175-0-8