The Government of Uganda's Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), convened ministers from 11 countries in Kampala this week for the seventh Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM), where governments reaffirmed their commitment to expanding safe and regular labour migration pathways and reducing irregular migration across the East and Horn of Africa.
"Labour migration is one of the region's most transformative development tools," said Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa. "Countries are increasingly moving from dialogue to implementation, expanding safe and regular pathways while maximizing the benefits migration can bring to migrants, families and economies. That is why reducing barriers to mobility, widening access to decent work, supporting skills mobility, and extending social protection are so important."
The forum focused on expanding access to regular employment opportunities for migrants, strengthening safeguards to protect their rights throughout the migration cycle, and promoting sustainable development outcomes for both origin and destination countries, including through ethical recruitment practices and improved labour agreements.
Labour migration remains a key livelihood and resilience strategy across the region. There are an estimated 3.6 million migrant workers across the East and Horn of Africa, with hundreds of thousands travelling abroad, including to the Gulf, in search of employment. However, gaps in labour policies, legal frameworks and coordination between countries continue to expose migrant workers to risks and limit the benefits migration can bring to economies and communities.
The Government of Uganda, the outgoing Chair of the RMFM, recently launched its National Migration Policy, marking a significant step in strengthening migration governance at a time when regional migration dynamics continue to evolve.
"Expanding migration channels is not only a priority, it is a development imperative," said Hon. Esther Anyakun Davinia, Uganda's Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations. "Through the RMFM, we are advancing practical frameworks, including ethical recruitment and bilateral labour agreements, to protect migrant workers and support inclusive economic growth across the region. We remain committed to aligning national progress with regional efforts to expand regular labour migration pathways and ensure migration is safe, orderly and beneficial for all."
The discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen skills development, youth employment opportunities, gender-responsive migration policies, and reintegration support for returning migrants. Governments and partners reviewed progress on key recommendations made to improve coordination among the RMFM member states on labour migration governance.
For the first time, the forum convened representatives from key countries of destination, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to deepen dialogue and cooperation. By engaging countries of origin, transit, and destination - alongside key partners - the RMFM promotes coordinated approaches to expand safe and dignified labour migration, reinforce regional collaboration, and increase the development benefits of mobility for communities across the EHoA.
The African Union Commission, the East African Community, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development also participated, together with other United Nations agencies. The platform supports countries to improve labour migration governance and advance regular, rights-based, and dignified migration pathways.
The Government of the Republic of Uganda handed over the RMFM chairmanship to the United Republic of Tanzania to lead and host the RMFM for the coming two years.
The initiative is supported through IOM's Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme, funded by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
