By C. Favour Esq.
■ INTRODUCTION
Migration is a natural and longstanding human phenomenon that has shaped societies, economies, and political systems. In Sub- Saharan Africa, migration is predominantly intra-regional, with the majority of migrants moving within the continent rather than across it.¹ However, despite the reality of African migration being largely regional, media narratives and policy discussions often focus on outward migration to Europe. This imbalance contributes to the neglect of regional migration governance, which is critical for achieving inclusive development, stability, and cooperation across African states.
■ DRIVERS OF MIGRATION IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA
Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors Intra-African migration is driven by various factors: Economic opportunities, environmental degradation, political instability, and social ties.² For example, many West Africans migrate to Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, or Nigeria in search of work, while South Africa has become a hub for migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi.³ Climate change is also reshaping migration patterns, as desertification and erratic rainfall force people to relocate, particularly in the Sahel region. Poverty was at first held to be a key driving factor of migration. However since the early 1990s it has been recognised that the poorest often cannot migrate since resources are needed to do so especially for international migration. This had led to a raging debate on the relationship between migration and development; whether or not development can reduce the pressures that drive migration or in fact can stimulate more migration by giving people the resources to move. However as highlighted by several studies (Black et al, 2011), drivers of migration do not occur in isolation from each other. For example, demographic factors are unlikely to drive migration alone, but high densities for example in combination with low income could well mean that people decide to leave, and environmental change for instance, by reducing agricultural productivity, can affecteconomic factors such as income, especially those of rural people. Thus, migration and urbanisation inter linkages in Africa are complex and highly context-specific social processes and phenomena, with multiple, multi-directional and multi-dimensional linkages. Despite this, regional frameworks have struggled to respond to thesechanging dynamics with theagilityandcoordination required.
■ REGIONAL GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS
Efforts to improve mobility through regional economic communities, such as ECOWAS, are notable. The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, adopted in 1979, grants citizens the right to enter, reside, and work in member states.⁶ However,implementationis uneven and not very clear. Corruption at borders, xenophobic
attacks, and administrative in efficiencies undermine the spirit of the agreement.⁷ For instance, Nigerian traders in Ghana have repeatedly faced harassment and restrictive policies, despite regional guarantees.⁸ The African Union’s Free Movement Protocol, adopted in 2018, offers a more ambitious continental vision, but only a handful of countries have ratified it.⁹ While levels of development seem to clearly affect immigration and of migration, state policies also play an important role both for the do and the increasing African emigration trends. The role of policies and in Africa in particular has been understudied, partly due to the lac the general increase in visa restrictiveness towards African citizens increasing spatial diversification of migration patterns away fron broader argument that immigration restrictions change the characte overall volumes of migration as such.
■ FORCED DISPLACEMENT AND PROTECTION: Refugee and IDP Management
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to millions of forcibly displaced people. Conflict, insurgencies, and natural disasters have produced significant refugee and internally displaced populations. Countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, and Sudan host large numbers of refugees, often with minimal international support.¹⁰ Uganda’s progressive refugee policy; Allowing access to work, land, and education, is often cited as a model, yet it is financially unsustainable.¹¹ Meanwhile, the Kampala Convention offers a legal framework for IDPs, but enforcement is inconsistent.¹² National governments often lack the resources or political will to fully implement its provisions.¹³It is not just about laid down rules and regulations will actual implementation be sustainable? If policies are not just made but given realistic checks on how implementations would occur that would even increase more strides within actual local terrain in Africa and the globe at large.
■ NEED FOR DATA AND EVIDENCE BASED POLICY
Another major barrier to effective governance is the lack of reliable data.Migration statistics across African countries are patchy and out dated, making it difficult to designe vidence based policies.¹⁴ This has led to a reliance on donor-driven initiatives that do not always align with national or regional priorities. Strengthening institutions like the African Migration Observatory and integrating migration data into national statistical offices are necessary steps toward coherence.¹⁵ Migration should be integrated into economic planning and regional development
strategies.¹⁶
■ POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Sub-Saharan Africa must adopt a more coordinated, holistic approach to migration governance. This includes ratifying and implementing the AU Free Movement Protocol, harmonizing nationallaws, and building institutional capacity.¹⁷ Engaging
civil society, local governments, and migrant communities in policy making is essential.¹⁸ Most importantly, migration governance must center human dignity and rights; ensuring migrants can access services, protection, andopportunities.
■ CONCLUSION
Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa is not acrisis to be managed, but a reality to be governed thoughtfully. With climate change, conflict, and demographic shifts on the rise, resilient migration systems are more urgent than ever. Regional cooperation offers a collective path forward to address shared challenges and leverage the benefits of human mobility. A proactive governance framework can turn migration into a force for sustainable development and regional unity. However whilst various frameworks should be put in place, actual implementation should be at the core of its essence.
■ REFERENCES
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