OIM - IOM Regional Strategy for East, Horn and Southern Africa 2025-2029 de 2025

EAST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

2025-2029 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FORIOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to: assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development through migration; and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

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© IOM 2018 / Olivia Headon Required Citation: International Organization for Migration (IOM) (2025). IOM Regional Strategy for East, Horn and Southern Africa 2025-2029. IOM, Geneva.

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PUB2025/010/REAST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

2025-2029

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2025-2029 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FORFOREWORD BY THE IOM DIRECTOR GENERALfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi7 FOREWORD BY THE IOM REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EAST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 9 ABOUT IOM fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 10 IOM IN THE REGION fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 11 MIGRATION OUTLOOK FOR THE REGION fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 13 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 17 SYNERGIES WITH REGIONAL PROCESSES fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 28

PARTNERSHIPS fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 31 CROSS-CUTTING PRIORITIESfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 34 ENABLERSfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi 36

CONTENTS

5 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA 2024–2028Amy E. POPE IOM Director General Migration shapes the fabric of East, Horn and Southern Africa, offering immense opportunities for growth and development. IOM is committed to fostering collaboration and regional integration to ensure migration is a driver of prosperity for all.7

IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029

Migration is an ever-present force that shapes the lives of millions – in the regions people leave behind, the places they journey through and the ones in which they arrive. The growing complexity of the migration landscape, resulting from various factors – from climate change to conflict to economic disparities – means that cooperation between neighbouring States and regional actors is essential to ensure that migration is safe, orderly and regular. This Regional Strategy for East, Horn and Southern Africa 2025–2029 builds on the IOM Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and highlights how IOM will work with partners throughout the region to meet migration challenges. By building on local capacities and knowledge, we can craft solutions that address the specific needs of the East, Horn and Southern Africa region while promoting sustainable outcomes for migrants and communities alike. This reflects IOM’s vision of delivering on the promise of migration, enabling it to serve as a force for development and prosperity.

knowledge, we can craft solutions that address the specific needs of the East, Horn and Southern Africa region while promoting sustainable outcomes for migrants and communities alike. This reflects IOM’s vision of delivering on the promise of migration, enabling it to serve as a force for development and prosperity. We must be collaborative and agile to achieve that vision, working together to protect the most vulnerable, address the root causes of rising displacement and facilitate the regular migration pathways that meet the greater demand for migrant workers. The implementation of this Regional Strategy will ensure that we continue to work across borders, supporting migrants through a coordinated, inclusive approach that aligns with both regional and global priorities. Together with our partners, IOM will continue to deliver on the promise of migration, ensuring its benefits are shared and that no one is left behind.

FOREWORD BY THE IOM

DIRECTOR GENERAL Amy E. POPE IOM Director GeneralPatrick Mwamba, a dedicated entrepreneur at the Bulengo displacement site, Democratic Republic of the Congo, runs a small shop that has become a cornerstone for his community. © IOM 2024 / Antoine LemonnierThe IOM Regional Strategy for East, Horn and Southern Africa 2025–2029 sets a clear and ambitious direction for our region. As we navigate the complexities of human mobility and migration, this strategy is designed not only to address immediate needs, but also to lay the groundwork for a brighter and more inclusive future. Partnerships are at the heart of our strategy. By fostering strong collaborations with governments, regional economic communities, civil society, the private sector and migrants, including the region’s diaspora, we aim to enhance labour mobility, facilitate regular migration and ensure that migration is managed in ways that contribute to regional prosperity and stability. Our strategy acknowledges the challenges posed by conflict, instability and climate change. We are committed to protecting vulnerable groups affected by these issues, particularly women, children and older people. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of

is managed in ways that contribute to regional prosperity and stability. Our strategy acknowledges the challenges posed by conflict, instability and climate change. We are committed to protecting vulnerable groups affected by these issues, particularly women, children and older people. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of addressing the impacts of displacement and violence on communities. Looking ahead, we envision a region where migration is managed in a way that enhances regional integration, builds resilience against natural and human-made crises, and promotes the health and well-being of all individuals. Our strategy is forward-looking, focusing on innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address the challenges and opportunities that migration presents. This strategy is a testament to our collective resolve and shared vision. It represents a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, ensuring that our initiatives are comprehensive and impactful. Together, we will work towards a future where migration is a positive force for development, stability and prosperity in the East, Horn and Southern Africa region.

FOREWORD BY THE IOM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EAST,

HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA Frantz Celestin IOM Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa 9 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029ABOUT IOM Established in 1951, IOM is the leading United Nations agency on migration and the principal intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. It works closely with its key stakeholders – migrants and Member States – to promote safe, orderly and regular migration. This involves providing services and advice to governments, migrants and other stakeholders in order to maximize the benefits and opportunities of migration and reduce its challenges. As of December 2023, IOM had 175 Member States, offices in over 580 field locations and more than 20,900 staff, 90 per cent of whom were deployed in the field. The Organization’s work at all levels is shaped by the three objectives set out in the IOM Strategic Plan

As of December 2023, IOM had 175 Member States, offices in over 580 field locations and more than 20,900 staff, 90 per cent of whom were deployed in the field. The Organization’s work at all levels is shaped by the three objectives set out in the IOM Strategic Plan 2024–2028: saving lives and protecting people on the move; driving solutions to displacement; and facilitating pathways for regular migration. As recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, migration and sustainable development are inextricably linked. The Sustainable Development Goals – and the commitment to leave no one behind – will not be met without due consideration for migration. Additionally, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is grounded in the 2030 Agenda and promotes a whole-of-government and whole-ofsociety approach to address this link.

In addition to assisting IOM country offices, the Organization’s regional offices play a critical role in supporting regional migration processes by facilitating dialogue, cooperation and capacity-building among countries within their regions to address migration challenges and harness the benefits of migration. The Regional Strategy for East, Horn and Southern Africa will bring greater coherence and impact to IOM’s activities in the region and allow for a joinedup approach to the way the Organization designs and delivers its operations. It brings new perspectives and new approaches, allowing the IOM Regional Office for East, Horn and Southern Africa to contribute to the Organization’s vision to deliver on the promise of migration, while supporting the world’s most vulnerable. 10

IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029IOM IN THE REGION In East, Horn and Southern Africa, IOM has 25

Member States and offices in over 78 field locations, including a regional and a subregional office and 3,729 staff. The Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, covers 25 countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the

In East, Horn and Southern Africa, IOM has 25 Member States and offices in over 78 field locations, including a regional and a subregional office and 3,729 staff. The Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, covers 25 countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In 2023, IOM recorded over USD 545 million in programming expenses in the region across its programmatic offering, with the aim of protecting and saving lives, providing solutions to displacement – both conflictand climate-induced – and facilitating pathways for regular migration. The Regional Office works closely with the IOM Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, as well as the IOM Regional Offices in West and Central Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa to promote the comprehensive inclusion of migration in continental and regional integration efforts and development, political, humanitarian, social, and peace and security policy agendas across the continent. At the regional level, IOM collaborates with regional economic communities, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the East African Community, the Indian Ocean Commission, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Southern African Development Community. Through the African Capacity Building Centre on Migration Management, based in Moshi, the United Republic of Tanzania, IOM will continue to expand its capacity-development support to Member States and regional economic communities beyond immigration and border governance into more comprehensive migration management support, including on labour mobility, social inclusion, data and maritime migration. 11

IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029MIGRATION

OUTLOOK FOR

and border governance into more comprehensive migration management support, including on labour mobility, social inclusion, data and maritime migration. 11

IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029MIGRATION

OUTLOOK FOR THE REGIONMIGRATION OUTLOOK FOR THE REGION The region is home to 634 million people.1 As of 2020, the international migrant population in the region stood at 12.2 million individuals, representing nearly half (48%) of all migrants in Africa.2 As of March 2024, the number of internally displaced persons in the region stood at 16.2 million, and the number of refugees at 5.4 million. Migration in the region is predominantly intraregional,3 and is primarily driven by demographic changes; economic opportunities and socioeconomic inequality; extreme weather events and hazards of increased frequency and intensity due to climate change; and conflict and political instability. Free or facilitated movement protocols are increasingly instrumental in supporting mobility within and from the region. The region hosts some of the fastest growing economies in the world and continues to make significant development progress. As a result, countries in the region are significant places of destination, origin and transit for labour migration. Kenya, for example, is a key destination due to its strong economic position and relative political stability, while industrial development and mining sectors in Botswana, South Africa4 and Zambia, and the energy reserves of Angola, Mozambique and Namibia have attracted labour migrants with a range of skill sets from across the continent and beyond. Access to basic services for non-citizens varies across the region, including for health care, which has the potential to affect the underlying vulnerabilities of migrants and communities. 1 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Migrant Stock 2020, data set (accessed 20 December 2024). 2 Ibid.

for health care, which has the potential to affect the underlying vulnerabilities of migrants and communities. 1 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Migrant Stock 2020, data set (accessed 20 December 2024). 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. Most immigrants (72%) originate from, and most emigrants (56%) move to, another country in the region. 4 South Africa, the most industrialized economy in the region, hosts 48 per cent of international migrants in Southern Africa and the greatest number of migrants in the larger East, Horn and Southern Africa region (2.9 million). 5 The rate of emigration in Ethiopia is low relative to its population; in Uganda it is average; and in Zimbabwe it is amongst the highest in the region, excluding refugees. 6 World Bank Group, Personal remittances, received (current US$), data set (accessed 17 January 2025); World Bank Group, GDP (current US$), data set (accessed 17 January 2025). No remittance data in 2013 for the Comoros, Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan or in 2023 for Eritrea. No GDP data in 2013 for Eritrea or in 2023 for Eritrea and South Sudan. The calculation of regional inward remittances as a share of GDP excludes these countries with missing data. 7 Such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Regional Migration Policy Framework and its plan of action, the East African Community Common Market Protocol, the Southern African Development Community Regional Migration Policy Framework, and various related free movement protocols. 8 IOM, Displacement Tracking Matrix – Flow Monitoring Networks: East and Horn of Africa, data set (accessed 20 December 2024). Some of these destination countries are also countries of origin for labour migration within the region and to Europe, North America, the Gulf States and, to a lesser extent, India. The Gulf States are a major destination, particularly for construction, the security sector, seasonal agriculture, domestic work and the

2024). Some of these destination countries are also countries of origin for labour migration within the region and to Europe, North America, the Gulf States and, to a lesser extent, India. The Gulf States are a major destination, particularly for construction, the security sector, seasonal agriculture, domestic work and the retail sector, for which local labour demand exceeds supply. Ethiopia, Uganda and Zimbabwe are also significant countries of origin for labour migration from the region in absolute terms.5 As the migrant population continues to grow, the flow of international remittances has increased: in 2023, around USD 20.9 billion was transferred to the region (1.7% of gross domestic product), up from USD 8.9 billion in 2013 (1.0%).6 Much of the migration from and within the region occurs through regular pathways, including those shaped by migration governance frameworks supporting regional integration.7 East African and Gulf countries have bilateral labour agreements that provide pathways for people, generally women and girls, to work in Gulf countries. Nevertheless, men and boys account for the majority of irregular flows from the East and Horn of Africa towards the Gulf countries, predominantly moving for economic reasons. Children also move irregularly along this route, with 44,400 children tracked by IOM in 2023, over one third of whom were unaccompanied.8 The share of people aged 19 and younger in the overall international migrant population in the region (28.9%) 13 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029is significantly higher than at the global level (14.6%).9 This difference is further pronounced when considering only countries in the East and Horn of Africa (41.3%, compared with 16.0% in Southern African countries). A number of countries in Southern Africa have bilateral labour agreements with countries within the region, and Mauritius and Seychelles have agreements with countries outside the region.10 In addition,

compared with 16.0% in Southern African countries). A number of countries in Southern Africa have bilateral labour agreements with countries within the region, and Mauritius and Seychelles have agreements with countries outside the region.10 In addition, labour migration is part of different broader bilateral cooperation arrangements between the Southern African Development Community Member States.11 However, regular status does not necessarily preclude exposure to protection risks, including those due to unfair, unethical or abusive recruitment practices, which are still prevalent.12 Migrants may also find themselves stranded or in an irregular situation rendering them vulnerable, even after having migrated through a regular pathway. A significant number of labour migrants also move irregularly through routes that they share with refugees seeking international protection and migrants moving or displaced for other reasons, such as conflict, sudden loss of livelihoods, or to seek water and food security or safety from extreme weather events.13 Many such migrants have protection and psychosocial needs and can be particularly vulnerable, including unaccompanied or separated children. With limited options for regular migration, they undertake dangerous journeys, often relying on smugglers, where they become more vulnerable to rights violations, such as abuse, exploitation or trafficking in persons. Smuggling of migrants is an issue of significant concern in the region. It is driven by fragile border governance frameworks, and substantial gaps in border management systems, which are often under-resourced and lack the necessary 9 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Migrant Stock 2020, data set (accessed 20 December 2024). 10 Mauritius has agreements with India and Seychelles; and Seychelles has agreements with China, Cuba, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria and Sri Lanka. 11 Angola with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia and South Africa; Botswana with Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe; Mozambique with South Africa and Zimbabwe; Namibia with Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe; South

Nigeria and Sri Lanka. 11 Angola with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia and South Africa; Botswana with Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe; Mozambique with South Africa and Zimbabwe; Namibia with Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe; South Africa with Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe; Zambia with Angola, Malawi, Seychelles and South Africa; Zimbabwe with Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. 12 IOM, Gendered Patterns of Women and Girls’ Migration Along the Eastern Corridor (Nairobi, IOM, 2020). 13 Among movements within the Horn of Africa (338,000 in 2023), motivations include economic reasons (38% in 2022), return to habitual residence (25%), natural hazards (18%), conflict (6%) and food insecurity (5%). This corridor is therefore more frequented by families, including women and children, resulting in different needs and protection risks. infrastructure and technology to effectively monitor and control borders. With climate change, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather and hazards has pushed greater numbers of people in the region to move. Countries in the region are frequently affected by natural hazards, such as cyclones, sea-level rise and flooding, whereas others face slow-onset disasters, such as drought, which affect the lives and migration patterns of millions. Conflict is also a leading driver of displacement. With multiple drivers, many countries are affected by compounding crises allowing no time for recovery, resulting in re-migration or re-displacement and leading to complex humanitarian challenges. In the future, regional integration could become a major driver of regular migration, as free movement of persons protocols and trade liberalization frameworks are advanced by Member States and regional economic communities, such as the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the respective protocols of the East African Community Common

are advanced by Member States and regional economic communities, such as the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the respective protocols of the East African Community Common Market and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. Regional integration has the potential to yield significant benefits from business activities and investment. Sub-Saharan Africa is set to experience the largest growth in the working-age population globally in the near term, as it simultaneously declines in other parts of the world, creating opportunities for labour migration. At the same time, economic disparities, limited job prospects and an increasing cost of living will also compel individuals to cross borders seeking better opportunities. 14 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029Climate change, environmental degradation and the resulting increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts, intense precipitation and cyclones, are projected to act as risk multipliers, which will exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities and weaken resilience. Moreover, protracted conflict, fragile peace processes, competition over natural resources and political instability pose a widespread risk to security and the enjoyment of rights by communities across the region. Those who are already marginalized and live in precarious conditions, with fewer resources or limited access to services and social protection, will be disproportionately affected by these interlinked stressors. Economic hardship may push people to pursue risky livelihood or migration strategies, exposing them to precarious working conditions or making them vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and other human rights violations. Severely affected communities may become displaced. The capacity of States and other duty bearers to respond to the protection needs resulting from multiple stressors will also be impacted if early action is not taken. Xenophobia and the risk of the political scapegoating of migrants may jeopardize the provision of regular pathways to capture the opportunities and benefits

of States and other duty bearers to respond to the protection needs resulting from multiple stressors will also be impacted if early action is not taken. Xenophobia and the risk of the political scapegoating of migrants may jeopardize the provision of regular pathways to capture the opportunities and benefits that migration presents for the region to adapt to and avoid stressors, safeguard rights and contribute to the global labour market to meet demand and offset declining and ageing populations elsewhere. Luiza, a single mother of three from Mozambique, lost her home to cyclone Idai. Local artisans rebuilt her home using stronger, more durable materials. © IOM 2024 / Amanda Nero 15 IOM REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR E AST, HORN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2025–2029STRATEGIC PRIORITIESSTRATEGIC PRIORITIES IOM commits to respond to the needs and uphold the rights of migrants and host communities and support the priorities and aspirations of Member States and regional economic communities in the region. Based on a thorough analysis of Member States’ national development plans and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, as well as regional economic communities’ strategic documents, this strategy is aligned with the overarching goals of human capital development and social protection; inclusive economic growth, diversification and regional integration; governance, peace and security; and climate resilience and adaptation. By integrating these priorities into its regional strategic framework, IOM is ensuring that its work contributes to the long-term vision of its Member States and regional economic communities and to a broader regional development agenda that is inclusive, sustainable and beneficial for all. IOM’s strategic objectives are designed to deliver on these priorities, informed by their mobility dimensions and the Organization’s value proposition, and its commitment to realizing the full potential of migration, while reaching the world’s most vulnerable. IOM will continue to employ a routesbased approach with the aim of responding to the drivers of migration and protection needs of migrants along the various migratory routes across, out of and

and its commitment to realizing the full potential of migration, while reaching the world’s most vulnerable. IOM will continue to employ a routesbased approach with the aim of responding to the drivers of migration and protection needs of migrants along the various migratory routes across, out of and into the region, in recognition of the interconnected nature of experiences in origin, transit and destination countries. This comprehensive