More than half of African migrants remain in Africa, report finds
People in African countries primarily migrate within the continent rather than trying to leave it, new analysis shows. A report by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the African Union seeks to counter misconceptions and find better solutions to help people migrate safely.
Lack of democracy, insecurity, violence and conflict are the main drivers of migration in Africa. And as the climate crisis worsens, and more more people are pushed to leave their homes to seek a better future.
Yet the latest Africa Migration Report found that, contrary to popular belief, internal migration on the continent surpasses external migration.
"The report finds that migration primarily occurs within the African continent rather than beyond its borders," Yvonne Ndege, regional spokesperson and head of communication for IOM in the east and Horn of Africa, told RFI.
"We see a lot of media coverage on Africans trying to reach Europe in particular, but the findings of the Africa Migration Report seem to counter this belief."
'Close to home'
An estimated 20.8 million people had moved from one African country to another as of 2020, according to the report, which analysed existing migration data.
Meanwhile 19.7 million people had left the continent for non-African countries.
That means intra-African migration makes up 51 percent of all emigration from African countries.
Read more on RFI English
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