Migration
Introduction
At a time when an unwarranted fear of the African migrant in the Sahel and across the Mediterranean Sea had taken over public narratives on immigration the first edition of the Africa Migration Report was published to change dominant discourses. The imperative was clear: we must “protect the millions of people who have been forcibly displaced by conflict and disaster and create opportunities for Pan-African solidarity rather than constrain them” (African Union and IOM 2020:10). This urgency remains as critical today as it was then because African people are on the move across the continent in search of both safety and opportunities. Beyond disasters and conflicts migration has always been “woven into the DNA of African communities economies and societies” (ibid.:3).
Missing migrants in and from Africa: A look into the data and policy gaps
More than 12000 deaths during migration have been documented in Africa since 2014 and at least 20000 African nationals have died or disappeared during migration worldwide. While these figures are certainly a gross underestimate of the true number of missing migrants in the African context they nonetheless indicate the urgency of addressing this issue. This chapter discusses the far-reaching impacts that these disappearances and deaths have on families and communities on the continent and beyond and urges action on three core areas: prevention of further deaths and disappearances; resolution of cases of missing migrants (including the identification of unknown bodies whose migratory status is undetermined); and support for families directly impacted by these tragedies. With tens of thousands of Africans directly affected by these tragedies across the continent the time for Africa to take the lead on resolving the crisis of missing migrants is now.
Acknowledgements
This second edition of the Africa Migration Report (AMR II) is a joint product of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Human mobility trends in Africa: A snapshot of available evidence
Building on various data sources this chapter provides an overview of the main migration trends in Africa examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human mobility across the continent and analyses emerging and future needs to enhance the availability and quality of migration data. In 2020 in Africa there were an estimated 25.1 million international migrants which translated into having 1.9 per cent of the African population – or around one in 50 people – living outside of the country in which they were born. One of the key characteristics of African migration is that the majority of African international migrants do not leave the continent and mostly engage in intra-African migration. Refugee movements and internal displacements are also key features of African migration. The chapter further examines the need to enhance the collection and analysis of high-quality disaggregated accurate timely and reliable data which are crucial to ensure evidence-based policy and programming and provide insights or predictions about future trends. In recent years considerable progress has been made in this regard in Africa. However more investment in strengthening data ecosystems is needed while innovation closer collaboration and better coordination remain essential to respond to emerging data demands.
Foreword
The world is moving away from the anxieties and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic though Africa is still confronted by remnants of the unprecedented scale of challenges that the pandemic brought. This second edition of the Africa Migration Report (AMR) highlights the fact that migration and human mobility were at the core of the global response as border posts became a focus for health policy decisions and travel restrictions.
Human mobility and climate change in Africa
Across Africa seasonal mobility has long been used as an adaptation mechanism to deal with climate variability as well as a risk management strategy to manage in unpredictable and extreme environments. Disasters the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation combined with structural factors however led to the erosion of pastoralism and undermined the mobility of transhumant herds. At the same time new displacements were triggered and millions more have moved or are seeking to move in a changing climate. In that context the African Union and the International Organization for Migration signed in 2022 a three year agreement to strengthen policies and institutional frameworks consistent with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063. One of the key thematic areas of this agreement addresses migration and climate change. This chapter looks at the interlinkages between human mobility disasters the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation in Africa. It further looks at the policy advances made by the African Union and by regional and national bodies as well as at the challenges and gaps that remain. Finally the chapter looks at solutions implemented for people to move for people on the move and for people to stay in a changing climate in Africa.
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.
Free movement of persons, informal trade and the African continental free trade area
Nearly 85.8 per cent of Africa’s employed population works in the informal sector. In some countries in sub-Saharan Africa the informal sector accounts for over 90 per cent of employment while informal output is as high as 62 per cent of official GDP. Despite this large size and its contribution to the growth of African economies the sector remains significantly untapped. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can play a significant role in optimizing the benefits of informal trade particularly informal cross-border trade. For this to happen however the AfCFTA would need to be accompanied by the liberalization of the movement of persons across borders through the elimination or at least the reduction of the stringent travel requirements. This chapter analyses how the AfCFTA impacts informal trade particularly informal cross-border trade. It also highlights how the free movement of persons can help Africa maximize the benefits of informal cross-border trade and in the long run integrate the sector into formal structures of trade for sustainable economic growth.
The digital transformation of Africa and the flow of people and goods
In a period in which many African citizens and migrants are not fully aware of their digital rights and do not have the instruments to understand the complexity of data-driven technology the top-down deployment of new technologies in the African migration policy cycle has caused concerns over the quality of existing regulatory and legal systems as well as worries about the risk of exacerbating persistent forms of marginalization. Against this backdrop this chapter adopts an integrated approach to the study of the relationship between digital infrastructures and the movement of people goods and services from within and to Africa. First it offers an overview of the digital transformation in Africa. Second it studies the movement of people and goods. Based on the best available evidence and in line with key continental and regional policy documents it identifies four policy priorities: strengthening the digital rights of African citizens; fostering cooperation between African countries on the issue of data protection; considering and recognizing that different degrees of digital literacy exacerbate existing hierarchies; and creating a social and cultural ecosystem for the digitalization of basic services.
Migration governance in Africa: Insights from the migration governance indicators data
This chapter examines the implementation of the African Union’s revised Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA) and its eight thematic pillars by conducting a descriptive analysis of national and local data from the IOM Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) for 35 African Union Member States and for the years 2018–2022. The analysis identifies well-established policy areas as well as those with untapped potential for development. Areas that are well developed in some cases with results better than global averages include the adoption of national migration strategy documents and their harmonization with development- gender- and environment-related efforts the establishment of interministerial coordination mechanisms and the creation of emigration- and diaspora-related structures (in line with the MPFA Pillar 1). Areas with the greatest potential for future development include the collection of migration-related questions beyond national censuses (Pillar 1) the improvement of migrants’ access to education and vocational training (Pillar 2) and the inclusion of displacement in national development plans (Pillar 7).
Migration-sensitive health-system planning to support implementation of the African union’s migration policy framework
Health is a cross-cutting issue within the African Union’s Revised Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Plan of Action (2018–2030) (MPFA). As well migration is recognized as being key to development benefiting not only those who move but also countries of origin and of destination. However for these benefits to be achieved migration must be managed in ways that will maintain the health of migrants. To address this migration-sensitive responses to health are needed whereby population mobility is embedded in the design of health-related interventions policy and research with health benefits addresseed at both the individual and population levels. Unfortunately health systems across the continent have largely failed to engage with the realities of migration jeopardizing efforts to effectively implement African Union policies addressing migration and health whilst simultaneously limiting progress towards international health and development goals including universal health coverage (UHC). In this context this chapter outlines two key areas for action to support the development and implementation of effective responses to migration and health: improving governance responses to migration and health; and addressing the social and structural determinants of health. Recommendations include establishing continental and subregional forums to strengthen migration and health governance in ways that are responsive to existing strategic plans including the MPFA.
A critical appraisal of labour mobility trends and their impact on regional integration in Africa
This chapter analyses the multifaceted nature and realities of international labour mobility in Africa in the context of regional frameworks regarding such issues as the free movement of persons free trade labour migration and labour market access. Primarily it evaluates the impact of these frameworks on regional integration and sustainable development. It considers gendered perspectives and the underlying drivers of labour migration within and from Africa. Furthermore it explores the current state of migration on the continent as well as selected operational arrangements to facilitate free movement free trade and liberalized labour migration as well as the limitations of such arrangements particularly in addressing skills mismatches and unemployment. Last it underscores critical areas that require concerted attention from policymakers and practitioners to holistically enhance the implementation of free movement regimes and address the highlighted disparities to promote a balanced approach to temporary seasonal and permanent labour mobility from and within Africa.
Africa Migration Report: Second Edition
The Second Edition of the Africa Migration Report (AMRII) takes a regional approach on migration and human mobility by producing knowledge and analysis that will contribute to the African integration agenda. Building on the success and lessons drawn from the first edition it will generate qualitative research data and knowledge on migration in the continent to embed human mobility into broader development and continental integration policies as outlined in the African Union Agenda 2063. The report focuses on the different policy frameworks processes and thematic areas on the status of continental integration. The report takes into consideration the cross-cutting topic of migration and health climate-induced migration trends data-based analysis of current and future human mobility trends migration and trade labour mobility missing persons and the role of new technology in facilitating interconnectivity and human mobility in Africa.
Region on the Move: Regional Mobility Report for the Middle East and North Africa 2021–2022
Migration is deeply ingrained in the lives and livelihoods of people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The region witnesses three key migration patterns: labour migration mixed migration and displacement. Migration in the region in 2021–2022 was influenced by the pull of economic opportunity push of conflict environmental degradation and youth unemployment. The Region on the Move report describes migration trends at the regional level with a particular focus on socioeconomic challenges and climate risks in the MENA region. It also discusses the multidimensionality of vulnerability impacting migrants as well as opportunities for migrants in MENA.
Acknowledgements
The MENA Region on the Move 2021–2022 was led by Rajee Kanagavel (Regional Reporting Officer RDH) and Modher Alhamadani (Regional Data Hub Coordinator RO MENA) with support from Carlos Ernesto Ayala (Data and Statistics Officer RDH) Alaeddine Dridi (Research Officer RDH) Riham Abouelhassan (Data and Research Assistant) and Khobib Elsayed Awad Mohamed (Information Management Officer RDH).