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- Convenors:
-
Mark McQuinn
(SOAS, University of London)
Stefano Bellucci (Leiden University)
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- Chair:
-
Samuel Andreas Admasie
(Labour Movement's Archives and Library and International Institute of Social History)
- Format:
- Panel
- Disciplinary streams:
- Migrations and mobility
Short Abstract
This panel explores the political, economic and cultural impacts of African labour migration. It uses historical examples and contemporary situations to evaluate how far migration policy frameworks can foster equitable mobility and drive sustainable development in Africa.
Long Abstract
This panel examines the transformative impact of labour migration to and from Africa, tracing its political, economic, and cultural trajectories from historical movements to contemporary flows. Labor mobility has long served as a defining force across the continent and its diaspora, reshaping national borders, driving financial networks and enriching global cultural landscapes. Yet, policy frameworks often lag behind the realities of a highly mobile workforce, resulting in regulatory gaps, economic disparities and geopolitical frictions.
By bringing together historical context and modern policy analysis, this session addresses the dual dimensions of African labour migration: the structural challenges faced by migrant workers and the strategic opportunities available to host and origin nations. Panellists will draw on historical examples and current situations to evaluate the political implications of border governance and citizenship rights, the economic realities of remittances and labour market integration.
The discussion highlights learning from historical examples to provide actionable policy frameworks. Focal points include expanding legal pathways and advancing regional integration through mechanisms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. The panel will analyse external governance instruments, like the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) to assess how international cooperation impacts mobility, labour rights, and sustainable development. Ultimately, this session seeks to offer holistic policy approaches that honour the historical legacy of African labour mobility while harnessing its full potential for shared prosperity.
Key Words
African Labor Migration
Border Governance
AfCFTA
International Cooperation
Economic Integration
Diaspora
EUTF (Emergency Trust Fund for Africa)