South to South Migration Dialogue and Governance

South-South migration is a pervasive phenomenon in Africa, with approximately 21 million recorded migrants moving within the continent. This figure is likely underestimated, as a significant portion of mobility within Africa remains unrecorded due to limitations in frameworks for tracking migration patterns. Notwithstanding, South-South migration holds immense development potential, particularly in the context of seasonal and circular labor migration. For instance, such migration patterns can help fill labor shortages in destination countries, create job opportunities for migrants, facilitate skills transfer, and generate remittances.

However, South-South migration also poses significant challenges, including increased human rights violations. Countries in the Global South often have limited records of protecting human rights and labor rights, leaving migrants vulnerable to exploitation by employers and host communities. A notable example is the migration of workers from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf states, where migrants often face dire working conditions and human rights abuses.

Furthermore, the management of South-South migration lags behind that of South-North migration. This disparity is concerning, given the scale and complexity of South-South migration in Africa. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung African Migration Policy Centre (FES AMPC) seeks to address these knowledge gaps and challenges, promoting a better understanding of South-South migration patterns and trends, and informing evidence-based policy-making to protect the rights and dignity of migrants.