The African Union (AU) has officially launched the third phase of its Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), a four-year initiative running from 2025 to 2029. The programme is backed by $16 million in funding, as confirmed by the AU and its partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The JLMP aims to strengthen labour migration governance across Africa by improving policy coherence, protecting migrant workers' rights, and enhancing data collection. According to the AU, the programme will focus on implementing the AU Migration Policy Framework and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.
Key partners in the JLMP include the ILO, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The funding is provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and other donors, as verified through official AU communications.
The launch event, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 5, 2026, brought together AU member states, regional economic communities, and civil society organizations. The AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development emphasized the need for safe, orderly, and regular labour migration in Africa.
