The New South Institute (NSI) has released a new report titled “Opening Borders for Migration in the East African Community: Progressive Yet Uneven Reform“, authored by Alan Hirsch, Research Fellow and Head of the “Migration Governance Reform in Africa” (MIGRA) programme at NSI. The report, published in July 2025, is the fifth case study under the MIGRA research programme, which explores policy and institutional dynamics shaping migration reform efforts across the African continent.

The study examines the East African Community’s (EAC) approach to regional migration governance, with a particular focus on the implementation of the 2010 Common Market Protocol. It argues that while the EAC has achieved notable progress toward the free movement of people (particularly when compared to other African regional blocs) reform has been inconsistent across member states.

Among the achievements outlined are the operationalisation of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), which have significantly reduced transit delays and costs, and the introduction of a common e-passport to facilitate travel within the region. However, the report identifies key areas where implementation remains limited, including the slow harmonisation of social systems, the restricted scope of labour mobility, and limited institutional enforcement capacity, particularly within the East African Court of Justice.

The report also addresses broader political and economic dynamics, such as the leadership roles played by Kenya and Rwanda, growing inequality among member states, and the implications of the EAC’s recent expansion to include countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.

By situating migration governance within its legal, institutional and historical context, the report offers a grounded assessment of both progress and ongoing obstacles. It concludes with a set of practical recommendations, emphasising gradual but sustained reform, institutional strengthening and support for capacity development in lower-capacity member states.

The full report is available via the New South Institute’s website as part of its ongoing work on public policy and institutional development across Africa.