Migration has long been viewed as a critical driver of development in Africa, as remittances from migrants play a key role in funding essentials such as housing, education, healthcare, and ceremonies. In countries like Senegal, remittances account for over 10% of GDP—vastly outpacing foreign aid, which contributes just 4%. In some nations, remittances exceed 20% of GDP.
Despite migration’s importance, translating its potential into tangible development outcomes is fraught with challenges. Policies like the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 emphasize labor mobility as a development strategy. Yet, implementation remains weak: only 33 countries have signed the AU Protocol on Free Movement, and just four have ratified it.
A study from the University of Amsterdam highlights this contradiction by examining African migration norms. Based on interviews with policy experts, civil servants, and academics, the study identifies migration as essential for development but notes differing expectations among stakeholders—migrants, host communities, and governments—often undermine policy goals.
Barriers to Migration-Driven Development
- Restricted Mobility Within Africa
Intra-African travel remains difficult despite some progress. The proportion of African travel requiring a visa fell from 55% in 2016 to 46% in 2022, according to the Africa Visa Openness Report. Yet, strict visa policies persist in countries like South Africa and Egypt, often to limit job competition. Kenya’s recent introduction of electronic travel authorizations reversed visa exemptions for Djibouti and Ethiopia, illustrating ongoing hurdles. - Community Resistance
Migrants are not always welcomed in host communities. Citizens often view them as competitors for jobs, especially during economic hardship. This resistance has historical roots, such as the mass expulsions of Ghanaians from Nigeria in 1983 and other deportations across West Africa in earlier decades. - Europe’s Influence
European migration policies often frame development as a tool to prevent African migration to Europe. Programs like the EU Emergency Trust Fund tie development aid to migration deterrence, under the assumption that better opportunities at home will reduce migration. Increasingly, development funds are also linked to cooperation on returning African migrants.
The Development Potential of Migration
Migration offers more than economic benefits. Remittances fund development projects, and social and political remittances—ideas, skills, and investments—can enhance health and education systems. Migrants also contribute to local economies, though their potential is often overshadowed by fears of competition.
For example, while some political leaders recognize the economic benefits of migrants, populist rhetoric frequently stokes hostility by portraying them as threats to citizens’ livelihoods. This dynamic hampers the conditions under which migration can thrive as a development tool.
The mismatch between migration’s social and policy dimensions undermines its potential. European and African policymakers alike acknowledge the migration-development link but often fail to align their strategies. European emphasis on return measures and African narratives on “brain drain” reflect this disconnect.
The Samoa Agreement underscores migration as a driver of prosperity and sustainability but also emphasizes reintegration policies, reflecting the tension between facilitating mobility and curbing it.
A Way Forward
Governance must account for the diverse attitudes toward migration across Africa. Policymakers need to reconcile these differences and take responsibility for fostering mobility as a development tool. By addressing barriers like visa restrictions, community resistance, and external pressures, migration can become a more effective pathway for Africa’s growth.
Ultimately, policies that truly reflect migration’s complexity are essential for unlocking its potential to drive sustainable development.
