Running from February 10 to 13, the forum aims to foster regional cooperation and ensure that migration policies benefit both migrants and host communities. This year’s theme is “Reframing the Narrative: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Labor Migration on Local Development and Economic Growth through Regular Pathways.”
Uganda is currently hosting the 6th Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM), bringing together ministers of labor and senior officials from 11 East and Horn of Africa nations to discuss labor migration governance. Running from February 10 to 13, the forum aims to foster regional cooperation and ensure that migration policies benefit both migrants and host communities. This year’s theme is “Reframing the Narrative: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Labor Migration on Local Development and Economic Growth through Regular Pathways.”
The forum is convened in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), bringing together representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), donor agencies, and UN bodies working on labor and social protection policy. Uganda, as the current RMFM Chair, is using this platform to promote the benefits of structured migration, focusing on how migration, when well-governed, can contribute to regional development.
Migration remains a defining feature of East and Horn of Africa, shaped by economic aspirations, forced displacement, and transnational employment opportunities. Uganda, in particular, is at the forefront of these dynamics. As the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, Uganda shelters over 1.7 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, thousands of Ugandans seek employment abroad, often in the Middle East, where irregular migration channels expose them to risks of exploitation and forced labor.
Esther Anyakun Davinia, Uganda’s Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, emphasized the urgency of addressing migration challenges collectively. “We have a large influx of refugees and a growing number of young people seeking employment abroad, sometimes through irregular means,” she stated. “This meeting is timely as it allows us to collaborate on creating safe, structured, and beneficial migration pathways.”
The RMFM aims to reshape the historical narrative of labor migration, which has often focused on irregular migration, trafficking, and exploitation. The meeting’s objective is to demonstrate that when migration is well-governed, it can catalyze economic growth, skills transfer, and regional integration. Officials will explore policies that enhance job-matching mechanisms, streamline recruitment practices, and establish protections for migrant workers. These measures will not only safeguard workers from exploitation but also ensure that both host and origin countries benefit equitably from migration.
During the meeting, five expert Technical Working Groups (TWGs) will assess the progress of existing migration policies, identify gaps, and propose innovative solutions. Their findings will be presented to the Regional Technical Advisory, a body comprising high-level representatives from IGAD, EAC, and the 11 participating member states. The forum will also seek to establish self-financing mechanisms to ensure the RMFM’s long-term sustainability. The meeting will culminate in the Ministerial Meeting on February 13, where ministers of labor will discuss the year’s progress and sign a Joint Statement reaffirming their commitment to regional cooperation on labor migration governance.
To transform migration governance into a driver of economic development, the RMFM is emphasizing practical and forward-looking solutions, such as expanding legal frameworks for labor mobility to reduce reliance on irregular channels. This includes strengthening bilateral labor agreements between origin and destination countries, establishing regional skills partnerships to ensure that migrants' qualifications are recognized across borders, and facilitating easier labor integration.
There is also a focus on strengthening labor laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent exploitation and uphold workers’ rights, particularly in domestic and low-skilled employment sectors. The forum encourages policies that channel migrant remittances into productive sectors, such as education, housing, and entrepreneurship, to enhance local economic growth. Additionally, the RMFM is exploring financing mechanisms that reduce dependency on external donors, ensuring that the initiative remains independent and sustainable.
IOM’s Regional Director for East, Horn, and Southern Africa, Frantz Celestin, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration. “Enhancing collective action on labor migration is critical,” he stated. “We are grateful for Uganda’s leadership in this RMFM meeting and for the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).”
The RMFM is part of IOM’s broader Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, which seeks to improve labor migration governance in the region. Funded by the UK’s FCDO, the initiative aligns with global frameworks such as the Global Compact for Migration, reinforcing the shared responsibility of states in managing migration effectively.
By shifting the migration narrative from crisis management to economic opportunity, the forum is setting the stage for a new era of migration governance—one that recognizes labor mobility as a driver of prosperity, rather than a challenge to be managed. Through regional cooperation, the RMFM is demonstrating that migration, when managed ethically and strategically, can be a powerful force for development and regional integration.
