By Diana N.Kintu
The 7th Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM) has officially opened, bringing renewed focus to labour mobility and regional cooperation across the East and Horn of Africa. Held under the theme “Harmonising Labour Migration Policies in East and Horn of Africa: A United Approach on Safe, Regular and Human Labour Migration,” the forum underscores the growing importance of coordinated migration policies in an evolving global labour market.
The forum convenes government ministers, policymakers, and technical experts from across the region, alongside international partners, to explore opportunities for strengthening labour migration systems.
Key areas of discussion include enhancing collaboration with destination countries such as those within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as Jordan and Lebanon. These partnerships are viewed as critical in expanding safe and regular labour mobility pathways while improving outcomes for migrant workers.
Deliberations at this year’s forum are centred on skills mobility, job creation, and better alignment between labour supply and demand. Participants are examining ways to improve skills matching mechanisms, streamline recruitment processes, and ensure that workers are equipped to meet the needs of destination labour markets.
Emphasis has also been placed on protecting migrant workers through stronger regulatory frameworks and improved oversight.
Officials at the forum highlighted that as labour markets in both origin and destination countries continue to evolve, there is a pressing need for coordinated and forward-looking strategies. Strengthened partnerships, particularly with Gulf states, are expected to unlock new employment opportunities while ensuring that migration processes remain safe, orderly, and beneficial to all parties involved.
A key component of the discussions involves reviewing progress made in the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) within the region. The forum’s Ministerial segment and its Technical Working Group are assessing achievements, identifying gaps, and proposing strategies to accelerate implementation ahead of the upcoming International Migration Review Forum 2026 (IMRF).
Enhanced cooperation with GCC member states, alongside Jordan and Lebanon, is seen as a strategic avenue for improving labour migration systems. These countries’ rapidly expanding economies, large-scale infrastructure projects, and sustained demand for a diverse workforce present significant opportunities for migrants from the East and Horn of Africa.
Migration continues to play a defining role in the socio-economic landscape of the East and Horn of Africa. The region is home to approximately 6.2 million international migrants, representing nearly a quarter of Africa’s total migrant population.
Labour mobility in the region is largely driven by demographic dynamics, including a rapidly growing and youthful workforce, as well as disparities in employment opportunities across countries.
The demand for low- and medium-skilled workers remains particularly strong, with the Eastern Route emerging as one of the most frequently used migration corridors.
At the same time, environmental factors such as food insecurity, prolonged droughts, and water scarcity are increasingly influencing migration patterns, compelling many individuals to seek livelihoods beyond their home countries.
As the forum progresses, stakeholders are expected to outline concrete commitments aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, harmonising labour migration policies, and improving governance structures.
The meeting is anticipated to conclude with a unified framework that prioritises worker protection, promotes decent work opportunities, and supports sustainable development across both origin and destination countries.