Building Safer Pathways for Africans on the Move
Every year, millions cross borders within and across Africa. Some in search of work, some fleeing climate disasters. Both face the same challenge: systems meant to protect people on the move are often fragmented, under-resourced, or not built for scale. That's why GIZ supports the African Union (AU) to strengthen labour migration governance, skills mobility and people-centered responses to climate mobility.
For many workers, crossing a border also means navigating barriers that limit opportunity and increase vulnerability. A nurse trained in one country may find her qualifications unrecognised in another. A construction worker crossing a border for a job may fall prey to exploitative recruiters because no ethical standards apply to his situation. A domestic worker who has paid into a pension plan for years may lose the benefits the moment she moves to a new country, because social protection rarely travels with people. These breakdowns affect millions of the 26 million international migrants living across Africa. As a result, strengthening labour mobility systems is essential to protecting workers while enabling countries to benefit from their skills.
To help address these challenges, the African Union Commission officially launched the third phase of the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP PROPEL) on 30 April 2026 in Addis Ababa. The programme is jointly implemented by the African Union Commission, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and GIZ. It strengthens labour migration policy frameworks and data systems. It supports the portability of social protection benefits, promotes ethical recruitment and advances skills mobility through the recognition of qualifications. Aligned with AU’s Agenda 2063 and the continent’s broader integration ambitions, the programme aims to make labour mobility safer, more predictable and more beneficial for both workers and African economies.
Yet, work is not the only reason Africans move. Climate change shocks such as droughts, floods, and slow-onset environmental change are increasingly forcing communities to leave their homes. Existing policies designed to respond to displacement, migration, and development were not designed with a changing climate in mind. As climate pressures intensify, countries often respond individually, with limited regional coordination, financing and evidence to guide decisions that affect people's safety and livelihoods.
To strengthen Africa's response, representatives from 26 member states, two regional economic communities, the African Union Commission and partners held consultations on the Continental Strategy on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change in Cotonou, Benin in May 2026. The strategy aims to provide a coordinated continental framework for responding to climate-related mobility through stronger evidence, institutional cooperation and practical measures that better protect affected communities. It is expected to be reviewed, finalised and validated before the end of the year.
While labour migration and climate mobility present different challenges, they ultimately require the same foundation: stronger cooperation, better policies and systems that protect people wherever they move. No single country can manage these issues alone. Progress depends on AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and continental institutions working towards shared solutions.
Together, these efforts point towards the same goal: a future where moving for work, or being displaced by a changing climate, does not mean losing access to protection, recognition, opportunity or dignity.
How GIZ African Union Supports Safer, Orderly and Dignified Mobility Across Africa
Through the African Integration through Labour Migration and Mobility (AIMM) project, GIZ supports the African Union Commission in strengthening labour migration governance, promoting fair labour mobility and advancing the recognition of skills and qualifications across Africa. As a co-implementing partner of JLMP PROPEL, under the leadership of the African Union Commission and alongside the ILO and IOM, GIZ contributes technical expertise and supports programme implementation. In particular, GIZ provides technical leadership on skills mobility, including recognition of qualifications, mutual recognition frameworks and regional cooperation on labour mobility systems.
Running from 2025 to 2029, JLMP PROPEL is built on the achievements of the previous two phases. It seeks to strengthen labour migration governance as a driver of economic transformation, regional integration and social development.
Through the AUC Component of its Global Programme Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC), GIZ supports the African Union in developing continental policies and strengthening partnerships that enable practical, people-centered responses to climate mobility.
In addition to enhancing coordination and peer learning, the project organised partner dialogues in June 2026 between representatives from countries, regional organizations, development partners, research institutions, and civil society to exchange lessons on financing, evidence-based decision-making, people-centred approaches and preparations for the next UN climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey.
Together, these initiatives contribute to the African Union's Agenda 2063 and its broader vision for a more integrated continent with mobile and protected people.