More than 300 delegates from African countries, stakeholders, the UN system, and the African Union Commission have pledged to enhance collaboration for the protection of migrants in Africa.
Co-hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA) on behalf of the UN Migration Network, the three-day event in Ethiopia aims to shape discussions for the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) scheduled for 2026.
The conference highlighted African countries’ dedication to second Africa review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) aimed at identifying practical measures to tackle migration challenges and harness its potential. Key outcomes included reinforced commitments to enhance migrant protection, improve data for evidence-based policymaking, and shift narratives to present migration as a development opportunity
The IOM Director General and Coordinator of the UN Network on Migration, Amy Pope, stated that the review represents an important milestone in translating migration commitments into actionable steps. She emphasized the need to recognize migrants as drivers of positive change and economic development.
“This review marks a significant step in turning migration commitments into action, ensuring that migrants are recognized as catalysts for positive change and economic growth,” he said.
The GCM’s Capacity Building Mechanism has already assisted 16 UN country teams and four governments in Africa, while the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund has funded eight Joint Programmes across the continent.
Recent initiatives have received a boost from new financial commitments, including £4 million from the United Kingdom and initial contributions from sub-Saharan nations like Eswatini and Kenya.
Ethiopian Minister of Justice Dr. Gedion Timothewos said that Africa’s complex and dynamic human mobility presents a unique opportunity for Member States to comprehensively address all facets of migration governance through the GCM.
“Since Africa is a hub for dynamic and complex human mobility characterized by mixed and irregular migration, the GCM offers an important opportunity for Member States to address all aspects of their migration governance in a comprehensive manner,” stated the Minister.
Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union Commission, H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma, stated that migration presents a significant opportunity for Africa, benefiting not only the countries of origin but also transit and destination nations. She emphasized the need to enhance cooperation to fully harness the potential of migration and meet the goals of the GCM.
“The recommendations of this review meeting will be brought to the table of Heads of State at the next African Union Summit so that action can be taken.”
Executive Secretary of the ECA, Claver Gatete, identified five key priorities to maximize migration’s potential as a driving force for sustainable development in Africa.
He emphasized the need to overcome obstacles hindering its positive impact by focusing on: mutual recognition of skills and qualifications across borders, portability of social benefits like pensions and healthcare, accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area to enhance labor mobility, integrating climate-induced displacement considerations, and incorporating migration data into national censuses while facilitating cross-border collaboration for data collection.
“To make migration a dynamic force for sustainable development across Africa, we must address the barriers impeding its positive impact through five priorities: prioritize the mutual recognition of skills and qualifications across African borders; allow the portability of social benefits such as pensions and healthcare; accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area for greater labour mobility; integrate climate-induced displacement; and include migration data into national censuses and facilitating cross border collaboration for data collection.”
Fifteen GCM Champion countries in Africa issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to the GCM. Representatives from five African Regional Economic Communities shared updates on the results of their sub-regional GCM reviews, along with insights from four specialized migration centers of the African Union.
