Alongside traditional migration routes to Europe and North America, an increasing proportion of African migration today is directed towards so-called ’emerging’ countries, such as China, Turkey, India, Brazil, Malaysia, the Gulf states and certain Latin American countries. These diverse flows, driven by factors such as work, trade, education and entrepreneurship, reflect new economic and political realities, raising significant challenges in terms of protection, integration and governance.

Mobility from Africa to emerging countries is not a homogeneous phenomenon. Several distinct groups can be identified, including workers in both the formal and informal sectors, international students, traders and entrepreneurs and migrants engaged in circular/seasonal mobility. Destinations vary depending on the migrants’ origins and migration networks. For example, China attracts students and entrepreneurs, Turkey is seeing an increasing number of urban Africans and artists and Malaysia and other Asian countries host African agricultural and construction workers. Meanwhile, Brazil and other Latin American countries receive migrants for professional or family-related reasons. These trends are drawn from the analyses and consolidated data presented in the ”Africa Migration – Second Edition ” report released by the IOM and the African Union, published in 2024.

Several factors encourage Africans to choose emerging countries over traditional destinations namely economic opportunities, education among others

Growing sectors such as construction, services, agriculture and mining require labour that is often cheaper and more flexible. The Gulf countries remain a major employment hub for the region, even though reaching them can be risky. This was highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) regional report, ”Assessment of Labour Migration Statistics”. For some students and entrepreneurs, the costs associated with studying and settling down are comparatively more affordable than in Europe or North America. Universities in China, India and Turkey are also developing attractive programmes for African students.

These mobility flows are facilitated by temporary labour agreements, such as memoranda between African countries and third states and policies aimed at attracting investors. The presence of well-established African communities in cities such as Istanbul, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur and São Paulo facilitates departure and integration. Studies also emphasise the rapid growth of dynamic African communities in Istanbul and other emerging cities.

Istanbul has become an attractive hub for African students, artists and traders. Studies show significant growth in sub-Saharan communities, alongside challenges relating to access to rights and formal employment.

Several thousand foreign workers, including Africans, are employed in industry, agriculture and services. According to the IOM, Malaysia hosts nearly three million migrants in total, putting its migration governance systems under pressure.

Historical and contemporary exchanges between Africa and Brazil include students, entrepreneurs and transit migration. The racial composition of migrants arriving in Brazil has also evolved in recent years.

Despite the risks, the demand for labour attracts Africans from the Horn of Africa and East Africa to the Gulf countries and the eastern route. These migration routes remain dangerous, with shipwrecks and abuse being commonplace, and require an urgent humanitarian and political response. The recent shipwrecks off the coast of Yemen are a tragic example of this.

Benefits and risks

Migration to these destinations come with benefits and risks. Benefits include financial transfers, acquisition of technical and language skills and diversification of markets for entrepreneurs and traders. These gains can support local development in the form of remittances as well as through ‘brain gain’ when migrants return with new expertise.

However, the risks are also evident. These include the risk of precarious contracts and exploitation, a lack of social protection, administrative barriers, racism and discrimination and dangers associated with irregular journeys. Without protection agreements or fair recruitment programmes, potential opportunities can turn into situations of vulnerability.

What the data and research reveal

Recent reports such as the World Migration Report and the Africa Migration Report indicate that the structure of migration flows is changing. While Europe remains an important destination, the proportion of intra-regional mobility and movement towards emerging economies is substantial and increasing. These reports emphasise the need to improve data quality, strengthen migrant protection and enhance bilateral cooperation, in order to transform these mobility flows into real drivers of development.

Policy recommendations

Bilateral agreements and legal pathways, such as working-holiday schemes, student visas and temporary permits, need to be strengthened to reduce irregular migration.

It is also essential to protect the rights of migrant workers in destination countries by carrying out labour inspections, ensuring access to judicial processes and implementing effective complaint mechanisms.

In addition, governments should promote investment incentives and well-regulated voluntary return programmes to leverage the potential of the diaspora.

African migration to emerging countries is a multidimensional reality, offering real opportunities in terms of employment, education and trade, while also exposing migrants to new risks. For these movements to benefit individuals and societies alike, coordinated bilateral and multilateral policies are needed to promote safe, regular and protective pathways, as well as better regional and continental governance of migration flows. Reports from the IOM, the African Union and other international organisations are essential resources for developing these policies.