Labour migration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region is a significant and vital component of regional integration and economic development in West Africa.
Current strategic priorities of the
Commission, offer channels to introduce labour migration-specific initiatives in the areas of social protection, small-scale cross-border trade, and youth employment.
However, while there are many benefits in terms of economic growth and cultural exchange, issues such as inconsistent policy implementation and migration-related risks (dangers during transit, exploitation, health issues, and social tensions) remain a challenge. As such, addressing these issues through stronger governance, better coordination, and protective measures is crucial for maximizing the potential of labour migration in West Africa.
In a historic advancement, ECOWAS and its technical partners,recently convened the
implementation of ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035); in Accra the capital city of Ghana. According to a press release from the commission, the strategy aims to “advance safe, regular, and rights-based labour mobility across the region.”
Reports from ECOWAS shows labour immigration within the region concentrates on: Burkina Faso to Côte d’Ivoire (agriculture, cocoa production,
domestic work); Niger to Nigeria (construction, informal trade, services); Mali to Senegal
(fishing, manufacturing, textile industry), and Ghana to Nigeria (oil & gas, finance, education).
Meanwhile Africa union (AU) reported the number of international migrant workers in the ECOWAS region in 2017 was 3.74 million, an increase of 26.2 per cent from the year 2008 when there were
2.97 million migrant workers
in the region, and 4.3 million in West Africa which hosts the largest number of migrant workers. Out of the 3.7 million international migrant
workers in West Africa, 1.6 million were women and young migrants (15-35 years old) made up 46 per cent of all migrant workers.
Speaking on the strategy, The Honourable Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment of Ghana, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, expressed optimism about labour immigration strategy, saying it’s time the region work together to integrate members of ECOWAS state in meaningful policies that will strengthen the region. While highlighting Ghana’s commitment to promoting inclusive labour governance.
“a timely opportunity to move from fragmented policies to coordinated regional solutions,” Dr. Abdul said.
Labour immigration strategy
ECOWAS report expressed that a comprehensive Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan is essential to address the challenges of labour migration and unlock its potential benefits for the socio-economic development of the ECOWAS region. Highlighting that; such a Strategy would ensure that labour migration contributes to economic growth, social inclusion, and regional integration while mitigating its potential risks. Thus, this ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (LMSAP) is critical to promoting free movement and labour mobility, protecting men and women migrant workers’ rights, improving data management and research, fostering labour market integration and development, while facilitating regional cooperation and partnerships.
Mr. Joseph Akpan, Director of Wages and Employment in Nigeria’s Ministry of Labour, highlighted
the importance of ensuring that “the strategy is relevant, realistic, and results-oriented,” underscoring the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring measurable impact.
Strategic objectives 1: promote regular migration, labour mobility, and human security. according to ECOWAS this objective is aimed at the following:
-Ensure equitable access to and participation in safe and regular migration opportunities and mobility pathways through the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol. -Ensure that labour migration is governed by clear, coherent, harmonized policies and legal frameworks across Member States.
-Support development and the recognition of skills, qualifications, and experience across borders to facilitate better labour market integration and enhance employability of migrant workers in the labour markets of Member States.
-Develop and operationalize a Labour Market and Migration Information System (LMMIS) to produce comprehensive, accurate and harmonized data on labour market, including labour migration.
-Develop and implement strategies to address forced labour of migrant workers and linkages with smuggling, and trafficking in persons, while providing protection and assistance to victims.
Strategic objective 2: Protect the rights of migrant workers.
-Promote the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families through ensuring fair and ethical recruitment and access to decent work.
-Protection against exploitation and labour rights violations through strengthening of support and social services.
- Ensure access to social protection and portability of benefits for migrant workers including those working in the informal sector.
- Enhance Migrant Workers’ Access to Information. – Promote access to justice for migrant workers.
Strategic objective 3: maximize the development impact of labour migration.
-Leverage remittances and diaspora contributions for socio-economic development, including investment in key sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure. – Encourage the circulation of skills and knowledge between countries through programmes that support the return migrants and brain gain.
Strategic objective 4: promote regional cooperation and strengthen governance capacities. -Build the capacity of Member States to manage labour migration effectively through evidence-based policy development, and enhanced coordination.
-Enhance the role of ECOWAS institutions in monitoring labour migration trends and ensuring compliance with regional, continental and International agreements.
-Foster regional dialogue and cooperation among ECOWAS member states to address common migration challenges and opportunities.
-Strengthen partnerships with international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to enhance the governance of labour migration.
Strategic objective 5: ensure gender and social inclusion in migration policies. -Integrate gender-responsive approaches in labour migration policies
and programmes to ensure that the gender-specific needs as well as the needs of youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups are addressed.
-Promote social inclusion by reducing discrimination against migrant workers based on gender, ethnicity, or legal status.
Further comments on the commission strategy, Ms. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission of IOM Ghana, Benin and Togo, emphasised the need for harmonised data systems, protection mechanisms for migrant workers, and actionable national policies.
However Ms. Adaeze Emily Molokwu, a representative of AU, further underscored the need for Member States to align national instruments with regional frameworks, and to ensure the effective domestication of the Strategy as a driver of sustainable development, social cohesion, and enhanced labour mobility in West Africa.
Meanwhile ECOWAS emphasized that implementation of this Strategy will directly impact the lives of millions of West African workers by formalising mobility pathways, strengthening job-matching mechanisms, and expanding access to social protection for migrant workers. It places particular emphasis on gender equality, youth employment, and the recognition of skills and qualifications— ensuring that migration becomes a tool for empowerment, not vulnerability. At its core, the ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy embodies a forward-looking governance model rooted in accountability, inter-ministerial coordination, and regional solidarity. It calls on Member States to translate policy into action through integrated national plans, sustained political will, and inclusive dialogue with civil society and social partners. With this Strategy, ECOWAS positions itself not only as a facilitator of free movement, but as a catalyst for human development, decent work, and regional prosperity.
