Can Africa Unlock Migration’s Potential for Development and Integration?

December 4, 2024

Migration governance plays a critical role in Africa’s pursuit of greater integration and economic advancement. However, outdated governance frameworks and fragmented regional approaches currently impede the continent’s potential to fully utilize the benefits of migration. These themes were prominently discussed at the 16th African Economic Conference held in Gaborone, where key policymakers deliberated on strategies to secure Africa’s economic future amidst rising uncertainties. The conference underscored the need for coordinated efforts to harness the socio-economic benefits of migration while addressing the existing challenges within the governance structures across the continent.

Migration offers significant potential for both economic and social development across Africa. Achieving this requires a coordinated and well-managed migration landscape. A central idea discussed is the link between free trade and the free movement of people, emphasizing that progress in one area should ideally support advancements in the other. The 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index indicated some progress towards the free movement of people but concluded that further efforts are necessary. This interconnectedness suggests that the benefits of migration cannot be unlocked in isolation but must be part of a broader strategy that includes economic, social, and political reforms.

The Importance of Free Movement for Economic Integration

Reflecting on ISS Africa’s analysis, the free movement of people is essential for enhancing continental trade, economic freedom, and integration. Despite notable strides made towards achieving free trade on the continent, the pace at which related measures to support free movement are being implemented remains slow, contributing to blockages. Africa’s complex and sometimes conflicting laws also exacerbate these challenges, underscoring the importance of improved cooperation between nations and regional mechanisms in managing migration equitably. This slow progress suggests that a more urgent and coordinated approach is necessary to realize the full potential of migration within the African continent.

Harmonized migration policies are highlighted as a vital tool in managing increasing migration driven by factors such as population growth, climate change, and conflict. Despite the presence of various frameworks, including the Abuja Treaty on the African Economic Community, the Free Movement Protocol, the Migration Policy Framework for Africa, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, the issue often lies in their implementation rather than their conception. Effective implementation requires not only political will but also practical mechanisms to monitor, evaluate, and adapt policies to changing circumstances, thereby ensuring that migration contributes positively to economic and social development.

Challenges in Implementing Migration Frameworks

ISS provides several recommendations for enhancing coherence, coordination, and execution of these frameworks to ultimately strengthen the rule of law and protect migrants’ human rights. A notable challenge identified includes immigration detention practices and the interplay between climate change and displacement. Also discussed is the varied efficacy of regional economic communities (RECs) in fostering regional integration. These challenges underscore the complexity of migration governance, requiring multifaceted solutions that address legal, social, and economic dimensions.

Africa can harness the opportunities presented by migration and simultaneously mitigate its risks. Migration within Africa is widely acknowledged to benefit development, exemplified by remittances from migrants surpassing traditional foreign aid. However, the multitude of laws at different levels—internationally, continentally, regionally, and nationally—complicates the management of migration. The article cites Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s decision to exit the Economic Community of West African States as instances of regression and fragmentation, which complicates cohesive progress. These examples highlight the need for a unified and coherent approach to migration governance that transcends national boundaries and regional affiliations.

Advances and Setbacks in Migration Governance

Despite the setbacks, African countries have made advances in migration governance. The 2018-2030 Revised Migration Policy Framework for Africa represents a comprehensive approach by acknowledging migration’s multidimensional nature and its potential for development. Moreover, increased visa openness is progressively facilitating better-managed migration for development purposes. These efforts indicate that, while challenges remain, there is a growing recognition of the need for more effective and inclusive migration policies that leverage migration for development.

Yet substantial work remains to implement these frameworks effectively. Embracing a more progressive and cooperative approach to migration governance can unlock the complete potential of migration and transform human mobility into a force for positive change. The article calls for a paradigm shift with five critical areas of reform to advance this holistic approach. These areas of reform address both structural and operational aspects of migration governance, ensuring that policies are not only well-designed but also effectively implemented and adapted to local contexts.

Recommendations for a Holistic Approach

Migration governance is crucial for Africa’s goals of greater integration and economic progress. However, outdated governance frameworks and fragmented regional approaches currently hinder the continent from fully harnessing migration’s benefits. The 16th African Economic Conference in Gaborone highlighted these issues, where policymakers discussed strategies to secure Africa’s economic future amid rising uncertainties. The conference emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to reap the socioeconomic advantages of migration while addressing the existing challenges within the governance structures across the continent.

Migration holds significant potential for both economic and social progress in Africa. Realizing this potential requires a coordinated and well-managed approach. Central to the discussion was the link between free trade and the free movement of people, with the notion that progress in one area should support advancements in the other. The 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index showed some progress towards the free movement of people but indicated that further efforts are necessary. This interconnectedness means the benefits of migration must be part of a comprehensive strategy involving economic, social, and political reforms.

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