Hirsch, leader of the Migration Governance Reform (MIGRA) project at the New South Institute, published a detailed analysis on African migration with the Brookings Institution, a globally respected think tank based in Washington, D.C., on July 17. His article explores the complexities of African migration, focusing on the challenges of implementing the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons Protocol alongside the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Hirsch argues that while regional economic communities like ECOWAS and SADC have made considerable progress in easing cross-border mobility, broader continental efforts have been hampered by national concerns. Wealthier nations, in particular, fear that implementing the Free Movement of Persons Protocol could trigger significant economic immigration, despite the safeguards built into the agreement. Hirsch’s analysis is a critical contribution to understanding these dynamics at a time when Africa’s economic integration is more vital than ever.

This publication is part of the ongoing research within the MIGRA project, which has been investigating migration governance across Africa since 2023. Since its inception in 2023, the project has produced several key studies, including Hirsch’s exploration of South Africa’s migration policies and Victor Amadi’s work on Nigeria, and a forthcoming study on Kenya’s migration policies by Michael Mutava.

We encourage you to read Alan Hirsch’s full article on the Brookings Institution website for a comprehensive examination of these pressing issues. Further updates and research from the MIGRA project will be available through the New South Institute.