Migration has long been an important part of labour markets and livelihoods across Africa. It is estimated that there are between 20 and 50 million African migrants today. Migration flows have implications for meeting the Millennium Development Goals, but their effects are poorly understood.

Migration takes place in many different forms in Africa, involving international refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and both rich and poor people migrating for work. The refugee population reached a peak of 6.8 million in 1995, while IDPs are estimated at 13 million. There are also large numbers of poor internal migrants, and much cross-border migration within Africa is undocumented. Despite increasing interest in African migration, significant knowledge gaps remain.

Most African governments, however, are concerned with the migration of educated professionals abroad, or the ‘brain drain’. It is estimated that US$4 billion is spent on replacing African professionals with expatriates, mostly through aid programmes. The movement of poor people in search of livelihoods is relatively unexplored, and governments are less likely to adopt policies supporting this form of migration.

A paper from the University of Sussex’s Centre for Migration Research (UK) reports on the findings of a survey on African migration. In looking at different forms of migration, the paper also reviews government responses and how these relate to poverty reduction. For instance, the African Union has established a framework for a cooperative policy on migration, intended to address the challenges of both internal and international migration.

The author finds that:

• Data is lacking on remittance (money) flows from migration and the mobility of African professionals. International migration, training and labour market change is also poorly understood, as is the availability of livelihoods open to displaced populations.
• Governments are particularly concerned about the health impacts of the migration of doctors and nurses. Policies include efforts to improve African tertiary education (eg through the African Virtual University), improving health infrastructure, providing research support and using short-stay visas to encourage return.
• Links with Africans abroad, to encourage return or use of skills and capital for African development, are being made through online databases to advertise jobs and skills.
• Migration, by channelling resources directly to poor people, may help combat poverty and contribute to the Millennium Development Goals. Conversely, migration may negatively affect children’s education, gender equality and HIV/AIDS initiatives.
• Migration by poor people in search of work relates clearly to poverty reduction policies, but governments have not shown much interest. This is all the more critical as there is evidence that economic crisis and structural adjustment policies affect internal migration.
• Traditional migrant destinations, such as South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon, have become more intolerant of migrant workers. They have tightened policies towards refugees, and poverty reduction strategy papers reflect this attitude.

Reversing the ‘brain drain’ may help African development, but measures focusing directly on the migration of poor people are more relevant for poverty reduction.

There is a need for:

• policies to provide protection for and support the livelihoods of those affected by extended refugee crises
• resources and coordinated regional policies to assist the long-term return of migrants forcibly displaced by conflict
• assistance to African governments to set up and expand databases, conferences and websites aimed at encouraging financial and skill transfers from Africans abroad
• ensuring that policies to support poor people’s livelihoods recognise the importance of migration as a livelihood strategy
• regional dialogue to strengthen migrant workers’ rights and realise the potential benefits of such migration.

Source(s):
 ‘Migration and pro-poor policy in Africa’ Working Paper C6, Sussex Centre for Migration Research, by Richard Black, November 2004 Full document.
‘Migration and pro-poor policies in Africa’ a report co-ordinated by the Sussex Centre for Migration Research, by Richard Black, 2004 Full document.

Funded by: Department for International Development, UK

id21 Research Highlight: 25 October 2005

Further Information:
Richard Black
Sussex Centre for Migration Research
School of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SJ
UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1273 873394
Fax: +44 (0) 1273 620662
Contact the contributor: R.Black@sussex.ac.uk

Sussex Centre for Migration Research, University of Sussex, UK

Other related links:
'Wealthy countries’ gains maintain the brain drain in the health sector'

'Harnessing the investment potential of migrants’ remittances: the importance of family ties'

'Who infects whom? Migration and the HIV epidemic in South Africa'

'Responding to the health workforce crisis'

'Reversing Africa's 'brain drain'' from Africa Recovery

Migration Information Source