Migration is a long-standing phenomenon in Africa, characterised by the movement of people within the continent or to other parts of the world. It is motivated by economic, political, climatic and socio-cultural reasons among others. Current debate on migration oscillates between two perspectives: is it a lever for development in Africa, or is it an obstacle to sustainable progress?

Several factors explain migratory trends in Africa, namely economic causes (unemployment, underemployment and job insecurity), political causes (armed conflicts, political instability and poor governance), and climatic causes (desertification, droughts and natural disasters).

Migration as a drive of development inAfrica

Migration can play a positive role in the continent’s development. The advantages include:

• Remittances: Migrants send billions of dollars to their families annually, boosting the local economy. According to the World Bank, remittances to sub-Saharan Africa reached 56 billion US dollars in 2024.
• Return of brainpower and investment: Many Africans in the diaspora return to their countries of origin with skills, capital and networks that foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Economic initiatives by migrants: Migrants invest in business creation, community development projects and essential infrastructure.
• Cultural and social exchanges: Migration fosters openness to new ideas, innovations and social practices that enrich societies of origin.

Migration as an obstacle to sustainable development

At the same time, migration poses a certain number of challenges for the African continent:

• Brain drain: the massive exodus of skilled talent is leading to a brain drain in key sectors such as health, education and engineering. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 40% of doctors trained in Africa work abroad. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be a shortfall of 6.1 million healthcare professionals in Africa, an increase of 45% from the last estimates made in 2013.

• Demographic and social imbalances: The exodus of young working people weakens family structures and hastens rural population ageing.
• Exploitation and vulnerability of migrants: Many migrants seeking a better life face difficult living conditions, exploitation, racism and abuse in their host countries.

Solutions for migration beneficial to Africa

Several strategies can be put in place to maximise the benefits of migration while reducing its negative effects.

-Encourage circular migration by implementing programmes to facilitate the return and reintegration of migrants in their countries of origin.

-Encourage diaspora Investment by creating economic incentives and return-of-talent programmes to encourage the involvement of Africans abroad.

-Develop local skills by improving training and increasing employment opportunities to limit the brain drain.

-Improve intra-African freedom of movement by strengthening regional cooperation in line with regional economic communities like in West Africa – ECOWAS, to promote beneficial migration across the continent.

Migration in Africa is a complex, multi-faceted issue. While it represents an undeniable opportunity for development through remittances, investment and the import of new skills, it can also hinder sustainable progress by draining the continent of its talents and creating social imbalances. A balanced approach, combining appropriate migration policies with development strategies, is essential for ensuring that migration becomes an engine for growth rather than an obstacle to progress.