OIM - IOM Strategy for Africa 2025-2029 de 2025

IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029IOM 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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PUB2025/004/RIOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA

2025–2029FOREWORD BY THE IOM DIRECTOR GENERAL fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi7 FOREWORD BY THE DIRECTOR, SPECIAL LIAISON OFFICE IN ADDIS ABABA fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi9 ABOUT IOMfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi10 IOM IN AFRICA fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi11 AFRICA ON THE MOVE – EXPLORING CURRENT AND FUTURE TRENDS fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi12 CHARTING IOM STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACROSS AFRICA fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi15 PARTNERSHIPS AND COORDINATION fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi24 CROSS-CUTTING PRIORITIESfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi27 ENABLERS fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi29

CONTENTS

5 IOM STRATEGY FOR [REGION NAME] 2024–2028Amy E. POPE IOM Director General Well-managed migration holds a powerful key to unlocking Africa’s future growth and prosperity. IOM is dedicated to ensuring that migration drives sustainable development across the continent, benefiting both migrants and the communities they call home.The IOM Strategy for Africa 2025–2029 sets out a framework to address the complexities of migration

key to unlocking Africa’s future growth and prosperity. IOM is dedicated to ensuring that migration drives sustainable development across the continent, benefiting both migrants and the communities they call home.The IOM Strategy for Africa 2025–2029 sets out a framework to address the complexities of migration while unlocking its potential for development. Migration flows across Africa present both challenges and opportunities, and this Strategy aims to ensure that migration becomes a driver of sustainable development, contributing to regional prosperity and stability. IOM is committed to supporting African nations in their efforts to harness the benefits of migration while addressing its challenges. By enhancing migration governance, facilitating regular migration pathways and protecting the most vulnerable, we can create conditions for migrants and communities to thrive. Our Strategy is aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, which emphasizes the critical role of migration in achieving economic integration, social progress and peace across the continent. At the same time, we must confront the pressing issues of forced displacement, climate change and youth unemployment. Working in close collaboration with African governments, regional bodies and communities, IOM will focus on turning these challenges into opportunities for growth and stability. Cooperation with the African Union, regional economic communities and international partners is critical to achieving these objectives. Together, we can transform migration into a force for prosperity, stability and peace across Africa, ensuring that it contributes to the continent’s sustainable development.

FOREWORD BY THE IOM

DIRECTOR GENERAL

Amy E. POPE IOM Director General Migration is both a defining force and a transformative opportunity for Africa, shaping the continent’s past, present and future. 7 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029Members of the Clube da Paz (Peace Club) learn valuable skills in mediation, non-violent communication, and community problem-solving.

Mocimboa da Praia, Mozambique. © IOM 2024 / Amanda NeroAfrica’s migration story is a testament to resilience, adaptation and the deep cultural connections that span this diverse continent. From ancient trade routes to today’s complex mobility patterns, migration has always been central to Africa’s social and economic fabric. This Strategy for Africa 2025–2029 is grounded in that rich legacy, and it reaffirms IOM’s commitment to supporting safe, orderly and regular migration. This Strategy seeks to address the multifaceted dimensions of migration through a rights-based and inclusive framework. It recognizes the inherent dignity of all migrants, and central to it is the commitment to protect and empower migrants, ensuring that their rights and well-being are upheld at every stage of the migration process. It is a testament to our collective resolve to address migration in a manner that is humane, just and forward-looking. Our focus remains on ensuring that the inherent promise of migration as an accelerator of sustainable growth, stability and development across the continent is attainable, guided by key regional and subregional frameworks such as the African Union Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and aligned to commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. IOM stands steadfast in its commitment to Africa, working alongside our partners to make the vision of Agenda 2063 a reality.

FOREWORD BY THE DIRECTOR,

SPECIAL LIAISON OFFICE IN ADDIS ABABA Mariama Cissé Director, IOM Special Liaison Office to the African Union Commission and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa 9 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029ABOUT IOM Comprehensive solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – from poverty and inequality to climate change and conflict – are all inextricably linked to migration. Established in 1951, IOM is the leading United Nations agency on migration and the principal intergovernmental organization in the field of

and inequality to climate change and conflict – are all inextricably linked to migration. 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 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. 10 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029IOM IN AFRICA The Strategy embodies IOM’s renewed commitment to supporting States in achieving large-scale and measurable impacts for people and communities affected by migration. IOM has a strong presence in Africa: in addition to country and sub-offices across the continent, it has a Special Liaison Office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); three regional offices covering West and Central Africa, the Middle East and North Africa,1 and East, Southern and the Horn of Africa, respectively; and the African Capacity Building Centre for Migration

a Special Liaison Office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); three regional offices covering West and Central Africa, the Middle East and North Africa,1 and East, Southern and the Horn of Africa, respectively; and the African Capacity Building Centre for Migration Management in the United Republic of Tanzania. Collaborating closely with the African Union, UNECA, United Nations liaison offices, diplomatic missions, regional economic communities2 and other partners, the IOM Special Liaison Office works to support regional policies, advocacy and coordination for better migration governance in Africa. This involves supporting platforms for dialogue among African countries, such as the Pan-African Forum on Migration, and linking them with subregional dialogues.3 These partnerships help to maintain migration governance on development, political and humanitarian agendas. They also help to align with global and regional frameworks, such as the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, and to implement a joint African Union–IOM implementation plan for the period 2025–2027. 1 The IOM Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt oversees North African countries and the Sudan, all of which are included under this strategy. 2 Africa’s current integration landscape features eight recognized regional economic communities: the Arab Maghreb Union, the Community of Sahel-Saharan States, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Economic Community of West African States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Southern African Development Community. 3 The Arab Regional Consultative Process on Migration and Refugee Affairs, the 5+5 Dialogue on Migration in the Western Mediterranean, the Migration Dialogue for Central African States, the Migration Dialogue for West Africa, the Migration Dialogue from COMESA Member States, the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa, the Migration Dialogue for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Region, the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration for East and Horn of Africa and the

Mediterranean, the Migration Dialogue for Central African States, the Migration Dialogue for West Africa, the Migration Dialogue from COMESA Member States, the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa, the Migration Dialogue for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Region, the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration for East and Horn of Africa and the Arab Maghreb Union. IOM’s regional and country offices on the African continent play a critical role in supporting migration governance by facilitating dialogue, cooperation and capacity-building to address regional migration issues and harness the benefits of migration for Africa. Through its operational footprint in Africa, IOM implements multisectoral and comprehensive approaches, working with governments, communities and strategic partners to implement activities that save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement and facilitate regular migration pathways. This includes providing humanitarian assistance, promoting durable solutions to displacement, capacity-building initiatives and supporting the development and implementation of policies that strengthen effective migration governance, as well as monitoring their impact. This second Strategy for Africa, which complements the relevant IOM regional strategies, will bring greater coherence and impact to the Organization’s activities on the African continent and allow for a unified approach to the way it designs and delivers its operations. All IOM offices across Africa, regardless of their size, will work together to achieve an overarching goal: delivering on the promise of migration, while supporting the world’s most vulnerable. 11 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029AFRICA ON THE MOVE – EXPLORING CURRENT AND FUTURE TRENDS Migration brings significant benefits to Africa by driving economic growth, fostering investment through remittances, increasing skill transfers and knowledge-sharing and strengthening cultural diversity. Migration on the continent is shaped by a variety of drivers, such as socioeconomic conditions, environmental changes and political factors, all of which require a comprehensive understanding to develop effective interventions. Promoting inclusive, innovative and forward-looking approaches to migration governance is therefore crucial to offer

diversity. Migration on the continent is shaped by a variety of drivers, such as socioeconomic conditions, environmental changes and political factors, all of which require a comprehensive understanding to develop effective interventions. Promoting inclusive, innovative and forward-looking approaches to migration governance is therefore crucial to offer transformative opportunities over the coming decades for individuals, communities and countries. Such comprehensive migration governance approaches will help reduce the vulnerability of Africa to external shocks and address continental challenges, such as youth unemployment, under-skilling, climate change and environmental degradation, conflicts, structural and governance limitations and barriers to women’s empowerment. Well-managed migration is a powerful strategy for human development and poverty reduction. Strengthening regional integration helps harness the potential of migration, and the anticipated entry into force and implementation of initiatives such as the 2018 Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment will play a pivotal role in facilitating regular migration, addressing the drivers of migration and displacement and safeguarding migrants’ rights. African countries are increasingly formulating national migration strategies aligned with development goals, which foster stronger relationships with diaspora communities and encourage them to invest in their countries of origin. 4 International Financial Corporation, World Bank Group, Digital Skills in Sub-Saharan Africa – Spotlight on Ghana (IFC, 2020). Technological advancements also play a key role in harnessing the benefits of migration by making remittance flows more accessible and affordable to support households and communities in countries of origin. Increased access to information and communications technology enables potential migrants to explore opportunities while better understanding the risks associated with migration. Looking ahead, digitalization will offer significant opportunities by the end of the decade, with an estimated 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa requiring digital skills by 2030.4 Efforts to develop durable solutions to displacement anchored in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach are gaining momentum across the

opportunities by the end of the decade, with an estimated 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa requiring digital skills by 2030.4 Efforts to develop durable solutions to displacement anchored in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach are gaining momentum across the continent. This approach involves addressing drivers of displacement along with the related socioeconomic, environmental and political factors, while recognizing that community stabilization represents an essential first step towards positive development outcomes. This work promotes options that empower individuals to choose whether to stay or move. It includes harnessing labour migration opportunities, increasing local job opportunities, promoting humane border management and regularization, facilitating sustainable voluntary return and reintegration, and exploring humanitarian and complementary pathways for safe and regular migration. Unlocking Africa’s potential: migration as a catalyst for development 12 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029Empowering Africa: advancing migration governance African countries and regional economic communities are increasingly recognizing the significance of effective migration governance. Continental and regional policies, such as the 2018 Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment, and free movement of persons protocols within regional economic communities, play a crucial role in protecting migrants’ rights, facilitating regular migration opportunities and promoting cooperation on border management and migration governance. The establishment of a continental United Nations Network on Migration and regional networks in three subregions, along with national United Nations networks on migration, support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Notably, the number of Global Compact champion countries in Africa highlights the continent’s commitment to stronger governance. Moreover, African countries have used the IOM Migration Governance Indicators to evaluate their migration policies and strategies. The data show that 43 per cent of assessed African countries have formal arrangements for intraregional mobility linked to regional or interregional consultative processes

commitment to stronger governance. Moreover, African countries have used the IOM Migration Governance Indicators to evaluate their migration policies and strategies. The data show that 43 per cent of assessed African countries have formal arrangements for intraregional mobility linked to regional or interregional consultative processes and forums. Additionally, 22 per cent of African countries have implemented gender-responsive national migration strategies. These advancements provide African Member States with opportunities to exchange and learn from best practices, both within the continent and from countries in other regions, such as Asian sending countries. Amplifying these efforts will greatly advance South–South and triangular cooperation, which are crucial for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. BOX 1. MIGRATION ACROSS THE CONTINENT – A SNAPSHOT Conflicts, disasters, climate change and insecurity drive displacement within the continent, resulting in a significant number of internally displaced persons, refugees and asylum-seekers. Economic and development disparities, high population growth and youth unemployment contribute to migration patterns, with social networks and the desire for family reunification also having an influence. Most migration flows take place within the continent, with 21 million Africans living in another African country, while emerging migration routes outside the continent offer increasing opportunities. These routes include growing labour migration from Africa to Gulf Cooperation Council and Middle East countries, as well as to South America. While migration from Africa to Europe accounts for only a portion of overall flows, irregular crossings pose significant risks. Between 2014 and 2024, almost 44,000 migrant deaths were recorded, with almost 30,000 occurring during Mediterranean crossings to Europe and over 15,000 within the African continent. There are also significant protection challenges along other migration routes across Africa, such as the southern route towards Southern Africa; the Horn of Africa route; the northern route towards North Africa and Europe; and the eastern route towards the Arabian Peninsula. Meanwhile, new trends in the maritime domain present emerging migration concerns in the Western Indian Ocean, where irregular migration, trafficking in

route towards Southern Africa; the Horn of Africa route; the northern route towards North Africa and Europe; and the eastern route towards the Arabian Peninsula. Meanwhile, new trends in the maritime domain present emerging migration concerns in the Western Indian Ocean, where irregular migration, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and loss of lives at sea exacerbate protection concerns. Migrants in situations of vulnerability are often exploited by human trafficking and smuggling networks, compounding the negative impacts of irregular migration. However, positive dynamics such as strong traditional trade routes, new hubs of innovation fostering skill and talent development and increased student mobility from sub-Saharan to North Africa also represent significant trends in African migration. 13 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029Delegates at the Informal Cross-Regional Dialogue for Champion countries of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration held in Ghana. Accra , Ghana. © IOM 2023 / Lucas Chandellier

14CHARTING IOM STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACROSS AFRICA Why an IOM strategy for Africa?

Africa holds immense promise, especially given its youthful demographic and innovative spirit. IOM is dedicated to aiding the African Union countries in fostering significant and enduring changes that can enhance the lives of millions of Africans. IOM firmly believes that strategic investments can yield substantial results at continental, regional and national levels, benefiting everyone, including migrants and displaced populations. Leveraging the Organization’s global reach, it aims to identify solutions that directly benefit individuals and communities on the move, drawing insights from successful practices observed elsewhere. To make these changes happen, IOM will work with African Member States, the African Union Commission and regional partners to chart a path towards effective migration governance. This involves adopting stronger approaches anchored in the humanitariandevelopment-nexus, enhancing protection for the most vulnerable, promoting durable solutions to displacement and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The implementation of the second joint African Union–IOM implementation plan (2025– 2027), a tool to implement this Strategy, will serve

stronger approaches anchored in the humanitariandevelopment-nexus, enhancing protection for the most vulnerable, promoting durable solutions to displacement and facilitating regular pathways for migration. The implementation of the second joint African Union–IOM implementation plan (2025– 2027), a tool to implement this Strategy, will serve as a road map to make migration safer, provide aid where it is most needed and support continent-wide sustainable development. The Organization will also enhance its political engagement and technical dialogue with African leaders, aiming to establish more frequent communication channels. Whenever feasible, it will adopt multiyear programming to ensure the sustainability and continuity of its initiatives. Over the next five years, it will systematically monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of its efforts in Africa, promptly adjusting its continental strategy as needed. The work of IOM will contribute to realizing the aspirations of Agenda 2063, aiming to transform Africa into a global powerhouse of the future and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. By collaborating with all relevant stakeholders, IOM aims to generate positive outcomes for countries, individuals and communities, ensuring that migration becomes a choice that benefits all segments of society. To achieve these goals, it will concentrate on translating the three priority objectives outlined in the IOM Strategic Plan 2024–2028 at the continental level. 15 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029With displacement reaching unprecedented levels, the Organization’s foremost priority will always be to save lives. To achieve this, it will embrace new technologies that facilitate its access to communities in need of life-saving humanitarian aid and protection, enabling it to better understand their needs. IOM will adopt innovative, rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches to deliver practical solutions promptly and effectively, wherever they are required. Its aim is to expand the speed, scale and scope of its interventions to reach the most vulnerable individuals. The Organization will support migrants, internally displaced persons and host communities affected by disasters and conflicts. Its comprehensive approach

approaches to deliver practical solutions promptly and effectively, wherever they are required. Its aim is to expand the speed, scale and scope of its interventions to reach the most vulnerable individuals. The Organization will support migrants, internally displaced persons and host communities affected by disasters and conflicts. Its comprehensive approach encompasses emergency shelter; camp coordination and camp management; non-food items; health services; mental health and psychosocial support; reproductive health; water, sanitation and hygiene; disaster prevention; and data analysis services. To achieve this, IOM will collaborate with African Union Member States to enhance their capacity to prepare for emergencies and provide multisectoral responses to protracted crises, including by supporting the operationalization of the African Humanitarian Agency. It will assist States and regional economic communities in safeguarding lives during crises, including by bolstering the resilience of communities and health systems in the context of epidemic preparedness and response. Furthermore, it will continue to scale up its work in trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants to provide protection to at-risk individuals. IOM will advocate evidence-based humanitarian responses, leveraging resources such as the IOM Global Data Institute in Berlin. This involves providing data, including from the Displacement Tracking Matrix, to inform the design and implementation of conflictand protection-sensitive approaches. Understanding the complex interplay of drivers at the macro, meso and micro levels that influence migration and displacement decisions is crucial in this process. Additionally, the Organization will enhance governmental capacities to collect and utilize data and generate comprehensive data on missing migrants and migratory incidents. Collaboration with key institutions, such as the African Union African Migration Observatory in Rabat, the African Union Institute for Statistics in Tunis, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration in Bamako and the Continental Operational Centre in Sudan for Combating Irregular Migration in Khartoum, will further support these efforts. To ensure the impact of its work, IOM will reevaluate its preparedness, anticipatory action and

for the Study and Research on Migration in Bamako and the Continental Operational Centre in Sudan for Combating Irregular Migration in Khartoum, will further support these efforts. To ensure the impact of its work, IOM will reevaluate its preparedness, anticipatory action and response strategies, systematically incorporating prevention and solutions lenses. This approach will empower communities to move beyond humanitarian emergencies towards sustainable solutions. Priority 1: Saving lives and protecting people on the move 16 IOM STRATEGY FOR AFRICA 2025–2029Displacement crises are becoming increasingly complex and prolonged, spurred by a combination of environmental, social and political factors. IOM’