Migration is an important aspect of globalization and regional integration in Africa, which until recently has often been under-recognized. While the official number of international migrants (people residing outside their country of birth/citizenship) in Africa is a mere 16 million people, in 2020.
Migrants in Africa often bring skills, boost the workforce, and contribute to human capital development and technological progress. Those who decide to return home can bring back with them new skill sets that they had learned and contribute to knowledge transfer. The remittances of migrants can improve the living conditions of families and facilitate the accumulation of human capital in countries of origin, thus reducing poverty and boosting development. In Africa, remittance inflows have outstripped FDI since 2015. However, the positive contribution of international migrants is overlooked. And while countries have made some progress on capitalizing on migrants’ contribution to development, in African countries these efforts continue to be a missed opportunity. Understanding migrants’ positive contribution to their receiving countries and designing policies that protect and empower them is key for maximizing the benefits of migration.
