In Africa, ICMPD implements programmes and projects providing dialogue facilitation, technical support, research, capacity building and institution building. ICMPD’s work is underpinned by relevant strategic frameworks and concepts such as the AU’s Agenda 2063 and its Pan-African vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. 

ICMPD’s Pan-African approach

ICMPD is committed to providing tailor-made technical assistance and advisory services in line with international priorities and development objectives. Thus, its work on the African continent is informed and guided by the relevant framework, most prominently by Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), which is anchored in the Pan-African vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. 

The AU and EU recognise the need for enhanced efforts and dialogue to foster reciprocal partnerships for migration and mobility. The AU-EU Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue (C2CMMD) supported by ICMPD in the framework of the Africa-EU Migration Mobility Dialogue plays a crucial role in this context. 

Similarly, ICMPD’s role as Secretariat to the Khartoum Process and Rabat Process as well as its role in ensuring the follow-up on the implementation of the Joint Valletta Action Plan provides ICMPD with strong access to all relevant stakeholders, as well as a deep understanding of their needs and priorities.

Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union Commission

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ICMPD and the African Union Commission (AUC) in December 2020 with the aim to develop a closer strategic partnership between ICMPD and the AUC and to enhance effective cooperation on the policy and operational levels. An Implementation Plan covering a wide range of initiatives on all thematic areas was consequently jointly developed with the AUC and adopted in September 2021. 

ICMPD’s work in Africa and Pan-African initiatives

ICMPD has a large portfolio of programmes and projects in Africa, providing technical and operational expertise for dialogue facilitation, technical support, research, capacity building and institution building. Thematically, ICMPD’s work in Africa focuses – among others – on support to regional and continental freedom of movement, border management, return and reintegration, remittances, diaspora engagement, gender dimensions in migration governance, and the fight against trafficking and smuggling of migrants. ICMPD supports the AUC via the secondment of three migration experts deployed in Addis Ababa. 

The multi-faceted Support Programme to the Africa-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) supports the ICMPD-facilitated migration dialogues AU-EU Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue, the Khartoum Process and the Rabat Process, and follows-up on the implementation of the Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP). Through a grants component, the MMD also seeks to support the implementation of projects and initiatives developed by local authorities and civil society organisations. 

The Programme focuses on maximising the potential for development from migration and mobility, and on increasing orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility within Africa, and between Africa and the EU. It contributes to the development and operationalisation of cooperation frameworks, facilitates identification and exchange of approaches and good practices, and delivers tailored technical assistance to increase capacities of migration actors at national, regional, and continental levels. 

More specifically, the MMD includes the following components: 

• The Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue (C2CMMD) between the AUC and EC.
• The Khartoum Process (EU-Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative) facilitating migration dialogue between the Horn of Africa and the EU.
• The Rabat Process (Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development) facilitating migration dialogue between Central, West and Northern Africa and the EU.  
• The Joint Valletta Action Plan Follow-Up informing the Dialogues by providing insights into the implementation of the Action Plan since the Valletta Summit on Migration in 2015.
• The Grants Component supporting selected initiatives of local authorities (LAs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and diaspora organisations in the field of migration. 

Through the Pan-African Programme, ICMPDs network of duty stations in North and West Africa, and through its programmes and projects in West Africa and the Mediterranean, ICMPD is able to engage with a wide range of stakeholders at national, regional and continental levels for the successful and effective implementation of its activities.