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Addressing the challenge of international migration

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION IN AFRICA Presentation by Takyiwaa Manuh, Director, Social Development Policy Division, ECA Thirty-fifth meeting of Committee of Experts Addis Ababa, 1 April 2016

CONTEXT  People move – not only to escape poverty, environmental disasters or violent conflict, but also to pursue their aspirations for a better life.  Globalization has opened new avenues for migration – distances have shrunk and information on opportunities is easily available and widely shared.  International migration has enormous implications for growth and poverty alleviation in both origin and destination countries.  About 31 million Africans, or little more than 3% of the continent’s population, have migrated internationally, that is outside the borders of their own countries. 4

MIGRATION TRENDS  The majority of migrants from Africa go to other African countries (as shown in the next slide).  Only about 28% of migrants from Africa go to Europe, and of the total migrant stock in Europe, less than 12% are from Africa.  Yet, the dominant misconception is that an overwhelming number of Africans are waiting to cross into Europe. 5

Emigrants from Africa migrate within their sub-region (%) 6

Recent migrants in OECD countries by region of origin (%) 7

MIGRATION TRENDS… Migrants tend to be young (mostly years), male, and with some education beyond primary school. Increasingly, migration has become feminised as women now constitute almost half (49%) of the international migrant population. Since 2006 remittances have been Africa’s largest source of foreign inflows after foreign direct investment (FDI). Remittance inflows to Africa quadrupled between 1990 and 2010, reaching nearly $40 billion in 2010, equivalent to, on average, almost 3% Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP). 8

KEY ISSUES Africa is a youthful continent while the rest of the world is ageing High youth unemployment driven by low quality education and skills acquisition limits opportunities of young Africans Free movement of people and labour mobility need to be recognized as important enablers for regional integration and economic development of the continent Africa today needs an ‘African’ perspective which requires a better and shared understanding of the issues and a common response. 9

POLICY GAPS AND REQUIRED ACTIONS 1. Data availability – Address data constraints and undertake analytical work to remove misconceptions on migration and support policy 2. Design national strategies that include migration flows, recognizing the contribution of migration in promoting development 3. Policy coherence to implement regional and sub-regional protocols and migration-related goals and aspirations of African Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development 4. Regional integration and border management to facilitate migration and visa-free travel for Africans in Africa 5. Political support from member States to strengthen dialogue among RECs, international partners, and other stakeholders for increased collaboration and cooperation 10

Key Issues THANK YOU 11