The African Union has launched a new $16 million programme aimed at improving labour migration across Africa, marking a major step toward strengthening workforce mobility and economic growth on the continent.
The initiative, known as the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), will run from 2025 to 2029. It is designed to improve migration policies, strengthen data systems, support skills recognition, and promote better protection for migrant workers across African countries.
The programme is being coordinated by the African Union Commission in partnership with key international organisations such as the International Organization for Migration, the International Labour Organization, and German development agency GIZ. It was officially launched during a high-level event in Addis Ababa.
Speaking at the event, Amma Twum-Amoah highlighted the growing importance of labour migration in Africa’s development. She noted that the number of international migrants in Africa increased from 17.6 million in 2010 to 26 million in 2022. She also pointed out that remittances reached $97.5 billion in 2022, showing how important migration is to African economies.
The programme aims to create safer and more organised migration systems by focusing on policies that protect workers and support their rights. According to Riccarda Chanda, the goal is to build migration systems that are based on evidence, fairness, and gender equality.
Another key speaker, Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, explained that the programme will help African countries develop stronger institutions, better policies, and improved systems for managing labour migration. He added that it will also support skills mobility and improve protection for migrant workers and their families.
The initiative, called JLMP PROPEL (Promoting Opportunities, Protection, Employment and Labour Integration), is funded by partners including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, with GIZ managing the funds.
Earlier phases of the programme already helped improve migration governance, strengthen data systems, and support skills recognition across several African countries. These efforts also led to better coordination among governments and stronger protections for migrant workers.
Hedvig Lohm reaffirmed Sweden’s support for the initiative, stressing that long-term success depends on cooperation, shared responsibility, and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders.
Overall, the new phase of the JLMP reflects Africa’s growing focus on using labour migration as a tool for economic development, regional integration, and improved living standards for workers across the continent.