Europe’s migration policies are undergoing a noticeable shift to the right, with nations adopting increasingly stringent measures to address both legal and irregular migration. Italy’s advocacy for outsourcing asylum procedures, the Netherlands’ push for restrictive immigration laws, and Austria’s anti-migrant Freedom Party being tasked with forming a government exemplify this trend. Migration has also become a pivotal issue in Germany’s upcoming elections, where disinformation campaigns often overshadow informed discussions about migration’s root causes and its multifaceted nature.
Hardi Yakubu of Africans Rising points out that political discourse in Europe rarely considers migration from the perspective of migrants themselves. The debate often fixates on border security and perceived threats, sidelining the realities of why people leave their homes. For many African migrants, the journey is not to Europe but to neighboring African countries. According to the United Nations, 80% of African migration remains within the continent, primarily targeting regional economic powerhouses like South Africa or West Africa’s wealthier nations.
Yakubu criticizes the exclusion of such data from European debates, which he argues contributes to the victimization of migrants, making them more vulnerable to xenophobia. The security-focused rhetoric in Europe is, in his view, a form of scapegoating, especially considering the relatively low number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, African nations also grapple with tensions arising from intra-continental migration. South Africa, for instance, has seen rising hostility towards Zimbabwean migrants, with locals blaming them for stretching resources and exacerbating unemployment. However, the economic contributions of these migrants are undeniable. Zimbabweans fill essential gaps in South Africa’s informal economy, running businesses like spazashops, and contribute up to 5% of the country’s GDP annually.
Despite these contributions, the mass exodus from Zimbabwe reflects deeper systemic issues. Political instability and economic mismanagement in Zimbabwe have driven millions to leave, creating a long-term brain drain that undermines national development. Yakubulaments this loss of talent, emphasizing that African governments invest heavily in education only to see their skilled citizens emigrate, enriching other nations while their own economies stagnate.
This phenomenon is not unique to Africa. Europe faces its own demographic challenges, with declining populations driving a need for skilled foreign workers. Migrants, many of whom have foreign backgrounds, now comprise nearly 25% of Europe’s workforce, according to the International Labour Organization. While these migrants often send remittances back home, benefiting local economies, their absence from their countries of origin represents a significant loss of human capital.
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Yakubu argues that African nations must address the root causes of migration and reframe the narrative surrounding their continent. Instead of perpetuating post-colonial stereotypes of Africa as a cluster of failed states, he advocates for policies that make the continent an attractive destination for investment and migration. Facilitating intra-African movement and fostering regional integration could help achieve this goal. Presently, it is often easier for foreigners from outside Africa to move within the continent than it is for Africans themselves.
South Africa provides a case study of migration’s dual-edged impact. While Zimbabwean migrants have boosted the economy, the country is also grappling with new forms of migration. Digital nomads are flocking to Cape Town for its beaches and affordable living standards, driving up housing prices and displacing locals. The South African government is now under pressure to streamline visas for these workers, highlighting the complexity of managing migration in a globalized world.
Yakubu underscores the need for collaboration between Africa and Europe to address migration’s challenges and opportunities. He calls for a shift in policymaking, away from divisive rhetoric and towards a more inclusive, humane approach. Migration, he asserts, should not be governed by arbitrary borders drawn during the colonial era but by principles that recognize shared humanity and mutual benefit.
Ultimately, the migration debate is at a crossroads. Elected officials hold the power to shape whether migration is framed as a threat or a source of opportunity. The consequences of these decisions will ripple across continents, affecting not just the migrants themselves but also the societies they leave and the ones they join. For Yakubu, the task is clear: governments must go beyond short-term political calculations and work towards policies that respect the dignity and potential of all migrants, while fostering development in their countries of origin.
