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Cover of the African Union Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Plan of Action 2018–2030
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Continental Policy Framework Migration Policy & Governance

Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Plan of Action (2018–2030)

Author

African Union Commission

Published

May 2018

Pages

108

Language

English

Executive Summary

The framework gives African Union Member States and Regional Economic Communities a common policy foundation for managing migration in ways that are safe, orderly, dignified and development-focused. It updates the AU’s 2006 framework in response to changing migration patterns and aligns continental action with Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals and international standards.

Its accompanying Plan of Action translates the framework into areas of work for the AU Commission through 2030, while encouraging national and regional policies that protect migrants’ rights, strengthen evidence and cooperation, and unlock the contribution of mobility to African development.

Key Highlights

1

A continental policy compass. The framework supports AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities in designing coherent migration policies suited to their priorities, institutions and resources.

2

Eight core policy pillars. It covers migration governance; labour migration and education; diaspora engagement; border governance; irregular migration; forced displacement; internal migration; and migration and trade.

3

Eleven cross-cutting priorities. The framework integrates development, data and research, migrant rights, non-discrimination, poverty and conflict, health, environment, gender, children and youth, older persons, and inter-state cooperation.

4

Migration as a development asset. The document links well-governed mobility to regional integration, skills circulation, diaspora contribution, trade, remittances and the ambitions of Agenda 2063.

Priority Themes

The framework calls for whole-of-government migration systems grounded in reliable data, international law, migrant protection and coordination across ministries, institutions and levels of government.

Labour mobility, skills portability, mutual recognition of qualifications, fair recruitment, social protection, lower remittance costs and diaspora knowledge exchange are presented as drivers of inclusive growth and regional integration.

Member States and Regional Economic Communities are encouraged to deepen cooperation on borders, regular migration pathways, counter-trafficking, return and reintegration, forced displacement, free movement and migration-linked trade.
8 + 11 Eight core policy pillars supported by eleven cross-cutting priorities for coherent migration governance

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