Alan Hirsch, research fellow and head of the Migration Governance Reform in Africa Programme (MIGRA) at the New South Institute (NSI), joined Channel Africa on 29 July 2025 for a detailed interview on regional migration policy in East Africa.

In the conversation, Hirsch presented key insights from his new report titled Opening Borders for Migration in the East African Community: Progressive Yet Uneven Reform. The study examines the implementation of the East African Community’s (EAC) Common Market Protocol, highlighting both the notable progress in countries like Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, and the challenges faced by others in keeping pace.

Hirsch discussed the role of leadership in advancing mobility frameworks, with special attention to Uganda’s refugee integration policies and Rwanda’s visa-free approach. He also explored the effectiveness of one-stop border posts in streamlining cross-border movement, and the institutional limitations of the East African Court of Justice in enforcing treaty rights. The interview concludes with reflections on the challenges facing newer EAC members such as South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in developing administrative capacities for migration governance.

The interview was aired on Africa Rise and Shine, a podcast from Channel Africa. The programme is available via satellite on PAS 10, the DSTV audio bouquet, 8 Oak True, and the Open View bouquet, channel 628.We invite you to listen to the full interview on Channel Africa and to read the full report authored by Alan Hirsch, which provides a comprehensive overview of regional trends in migration governance across East Africa.