Issues and recent trends in international migration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa features a variety of movements, mostly intra-regional: migrant workers, undocumented migrants, nomads, frontier workers, refugees, and highly skilled professionals. Changing patterns and especially the increase in irregular migration, diversification of migratory routes and trafficking in migrants result from worsening socioeconomic and political conditions in the region. Sponsored, selective male mi,oration and increasing female autonomous migration are manifestations of migration as survival strategies. Brain circulation within the region, especially to core areas of rapid economic growth, has intensified; increasingly, labour migration is being replaced by commercial migration. Migrants are also exploring alternative destinations within the region in response to the tightened immigration laws in the North. Rapid population growth, economic depression, conflicts, political instability, widespread poverty and deepening unemployment signal the possibility of increased migration, including refugee hows, in the coming years. Sub-regional economic unions could help promote intraregional labour mobility if concerted efforts are made to harmonise national laws with regional and sub-regional treaties.