By Baboloki Semele – In a significant step toward enhancing labour mobility and free movement across Africa, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), is hosting a regional workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, from March 26 to 27, 2025. The workshop aims to review and validate a comprehensive report focusing on strengthening intra-African labour mobility, skill transferability, and the free movement of people.
The report under review draws insights from national studies and stakeholder consultations conducted in Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia. It proposes concrete recommendations to facilitate the implementation of the AU Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and its alignment with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
From way back ECA, has been emphasizing the importance of labour mobility in driving economic integration. Previously ECA stated that a unified African labour market is essential for economic growth, innovation, and reducing unemployment across the continent, adding that removing institutional and policy barriers, is a better way to unlock the potential of Africa’s human capital.
Labour mobility has long been a contentious issue in Africa, with varying immigration policies hindering movement across borders. The AU Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 2018, aims to eliminate these barriers, but ratification has been slow. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), intra-African migration could significantly boost GDP growth if properly regulated and facilitated.
The Mombasa workshop brings together key stakeholders, including government officials, migration experts, civil society representatives, and international partners. Discussions will focus on best practices, legal frameworks, and institutional reforms needed to enhance labour mobility.
Kenya government welcomed the initiative, noting that Kenya has long been an advocate for regional integration, and this forum provides a valuable opportunity to harmonize policies and streamline migration processes.
The workshop also aligns with the broader continental agenda to reshape the discourse on African migration. Traditional narratives have often focused on migration outflows to Europe and North America, overshadowing the vast intra-African migration that contributes to economic and social development.
As the discussions unfold in Mombasa, stakeholders are expected to push for concrete steps toward ratification and implementation of the Free Movement Protocol. The momentum generated by this event could mark a turning point in Africa’s efforts to enhance economic integration through people-centered policies.
With continental trade under the AfCFTA expected to increase significantly, experts argue that free movement of labour will be essential in sustaining growth and ensuring that Africa reaps maximum benefits from its youthful workforce. The outcomes of the workshop will likely shape future policy directions on migration and economic cooperation across the continent.