This chapter explores the African diaspora’s vital role in advancing research and graduate education in Africa. It argues that the diaspora’s unique skills and experiences offer valuable alternatives to address capacity constraints in African higher education, particularly in research and graduate education. Various modes of engagement are discussed, categorized by diaspora roles—practitioners, partners, and network members—and university functions such as teaching, research, and service. Collaborative research, joint publications, knowledge sharing, and professional mentorship are highlighted as key avenues of diaspora involvement. The chapter identifies critical enablers, including supportive policies, institutional frameworks, and mediating organizations that facilitate engagement. It also underscores the importance of champions—individuals and groups—advocating for collaboration. However, significant challenges such as attitudinal barriers, weak institutional processes, and infrastructural limitations are acknowledged as impediments to effective engagement. Ultimately, the chapter emphasizes the need for multifaceted, context-specific strategies that harness communication technologies and professional networks to fully realize the diaspora’s potential in enhancing African higher education. While the analysis predominantly focuses on the African diaspora in the West, it calls for greater attention to the contributions of intra-African diaspora communities in future research.