AfDB and IOM Forge Stronger Alliance to Tackle Migration and Drive Africa’s Development
AfDB and IOM Forge Stronger Alliance to Tackle Migration and Drive Africa’s Development
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are advancing their collaboration to address critical migration and development issues across Africa.
AfDB’s Senior Vice-President, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, highlighted this during a meeting with IOM Director-General Amy Pope in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Discussions focused on a potential formal partnership to build on successful initiatives, such as their joint 2023 report on migration and development in Africa.
“We already have a rich and productive relationship with IOM,” Akin-Olugbade said. “As we discuss a potential formal agreement, we aim to be more targeted and concrete in our approach, fully using our combined strengths to show that well-managed migration can benefit everyone involved.”
She noted that IOM’s expertise could enhance AfDB projects, particularly in infrastructure and regional integration, creating greater impact through collaborative efforts.
The organisations plan to deepen collaboration by sharing data, conducting joint policy research, and addressing migration’s root causes, including climate change and economic disparities.
IOM Director-General Amy Pope stressed the importance of ensuring safe, dignified migration, allowing individuals to contribute to personal and national development.
“Our goal in working more closely with AfDB is to ensure people can move safely and with dignity, allowing them to contribute to their development and their country’s progress,” Pope said.
She also underscored the need to tackle migration drivers such as climate change and limited job opportunities, while addressing both the challenges and potential of skilled labor migration.
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Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa, highlighted a significant increase in migration along the Atlantic route, calling for urgent, coordinated responses to address the trend.
Both organisations agreed to leverage IOM’s migration expertise and AfDB’s financial and technical capabilities to design impactful projects that address root causes, improve regional integration, and enhance infrastructure.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from both organisations, including Catherine Baumont-Keita of the AfDB, was part of Pope’s official visit to Côte d’Ivoire, which also included engagements with government officials and other development partners.
