ECOWAS validates Labour Migration Strategy to strengthen regional mobility and rights protection

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), has officially validated its Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (LMSAP), marking a key step toward more coordinated, rights-based governance of labour mobility in the region.

The validation workshop, held from 13–15 May in Accra, convened representatives from ECOWAS Member States, civil society, technical experts, and regional and international organizations. The Strategy comes at a time when West Africa is hosting an estimated 3.7 million international migrant workers supporting key sectors such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, and services.

“The movement of workers across our borders is not just an economic phenomenon, but the lifeblood of West African integration. Behind every statistics is a person seeking opportunity, building a livelihood, and contributing to the prosperity of our region. This Strategy allows us to move from fragmented national approaches to true regional cooperation.” said Dr. Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Ghana.

The LMSAP sets out five strategic objectives: promoting safe and regular migration, protecting migrant workers’ rights, maximizing development outcomes, enhancing regional governance, and advancing gender and social inclusion in migration policy. These objectives are supported by actionable commitments from Member States, coordinated at the regional level.

“This Strategy sets a new standard for regional cooperation. It aligns with continental frameworks such as the AU Free Movement Protocol and the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), ensuring West Africa remains at the forefront of building an inclusive and effective migration system.” said Ms Adaeze Molokwu, the JLMP Programme Officer, representing Dr. Sabelo Mbokazi, the Head of Labour, Employment and Migration Division of the African Union Commission.

The Strategy responds to pressing challenges such as irregular migration, limited social protection, and gender disparities in migration governance. This was developed through extensive consultation and technical collaboration under the ECOWAS leadership, with backing from the AU-IOM-ILO JLMP and the Free Movement of Persons (FMP) initiative. “Taking this initiative forward requires commitment from all Member States and the support of key stakeholders. Our collective effort will be crucial in fast-tracking the strategy’s implementation, paving the way for a robust Labour Migration Strategy benefiting all ECOWAS citizens.” Mrs. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, the IOM Chief of Mission for Ghana, Togo and Benin noted, urging regional leaders to prioritize implementation and continued political will for safe and orderly migration.

Labour migration remains a lifeline for many households in West Africa, with annual remittances exceeding USD 40 billion. The Strategy underlines the need to integrate migration into national development plans, improve financial literacy among migrants, and strengthen labour market information systems to better inform policy.

With the validation complete, the Strategy enters its implementation phase. To support implementation, a Technical Coordination Committee and a Labour Migration Technical Working Group will be established to guide actions and monitor progress.

ECOWAS and its partners have pledged continued technical assistance and resource mobilization to realize a vision where labour migration is safe, dignified, and transformative for both individuals and communities.

For more information, kindly contact:

AUC: Innocent Vuga at vugai@africa-union.org

IOM: Angela Bortey at abortey@iom.int