Regional integration and migration governance in Africa

Cooperation on migration governance in Africa has been shaped through key policies adopted by the African Union, regional economic communities (RECs) and national governments. The three levels at which migration governance policies are framed and implemented are through cooperation between African Union Member States, between REC member States, and through relations between respective governments. The importance of migrations is indicated by the fact that free movement of persons is one of the eight dimensions used to rank the progress of RECs and African countries in regional integration in the Africa Union’s Multidimensional Regional Integration Index (African Union, 2021). This chapter summarizes and analyses the various governance policies in place, explores some of the emerging opportunities and challenges presented by rising international migration within and from Africa, and suggests policy options to take advantage of the opportunities and confront the challenges presented by greater volumes of migration.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Life on Land