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Overview of adoption in Africa:
I am listing all countries in Africa and what their stance is on international adoption. For those countries that are doing international adoptions, I will send details of each in separate posts, but this will give you an alphabetical overview.
Algeria: Adoption as Americans refer to it is not allowed in Algeria, as it
is a Muslim country. The “adoption” of a child is done under the rules for Kafala (or guardianship).
Angola: No information found.
Benin: Has suspended all international adoptions.
Botswana: Local law and practice requires a lengthy period of residence in Botswana for both adoptive children and parents during the process. Parents must remain resident with the child in Botswana during a period of foster care and the adoptive child must remain resident in Botswana for one year following issuance of an adoption decree. Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics indicate that only one immigrant visa to an orphan from Botswana has been issued in the last five fiscal years. There are no US agencies placing children from Botswana.
Burkina Faso: Only American citizens living in Burkina Faso are qualified to adopt locally. Because the United States has not yet ratified the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention, the adoption authorities in Burkina Faso have said that adoption by U.S. citizens not resident in Burkina Faso is not possible at this time. One Burkinabe orphan has received a U.S. immigrant visa in the past five fiscal years (in January of 2006). There are no US agencies placing children from Burkina Faso at this time.
Burundi: Intercountry adoption in Burundi can only take place if the adoptive parents’ home country has signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. The United States has signed but not yet ratified the Adoption Convention. The Department of State and Department of Homeland Security are preparing the implementing regulations so that the United States can ratify the Convention in 2007. However, based on information from the US State Dept website, it does appear that adoption is possible. There are no residency requirements and the age of adoptive parents and length of marriage are the usual (15 years olders than the child, AND at least 30, married at least 5 years). Adoption by single parents is possible.
All immigrant visas for children from Burundi are issued in Nairobi.
Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to Burundian orphans:
Fiscal Year Number of Immigrant Visas Issued
FY 2006 1
FY 2005 4
FY 2004 3
FY 2003 1
FY 2002 0
There are no US agencies placing children from Burundi at this time.
I wanted to comment on adoptions in Benin. Our family lived as missionaries in Benin and we adopted a little girl from the village where we lived. Her adoption was official in Benin on March 20, 2007. I am aware of several other adoptions that have taken place there. It was a difficult process but it was possible!