West Africa’s patterns of migration in pre-colonial and early post-colonial times were predominantly internal and regional; from landlocked Sahelian countries to relatively prosperous mines, plantations and coastal cities. This was very significant in ensuring quality brain and skills circulation in the region. Out-migration to Europe, despite the numerous benefits that come along with it, remains a huge problem for the region and very worrisome to policy makers. As the previous significant brain and skills circulation that existed in the region has shifted to Europe, it paralysed its human and socioeconomic development efforts. On the other hand it is a huge and an unbearable burden on the social welfare system and job market of Europe. Considering the problematic and worrisome nature of unskilled, semi-skilled and professional youth migration, this study is set to search for its determinants. The findings are intended for a better and more informed policy formulation. Assuming that at the beginning of the 21st Century, West Africa’s migratory trends to Europe have changed from predominantly regular to alarmingly irregular and clandestine, this research also investigates the motivations behind this trend. The focus of this study is the migration flow from West Africa to Europe, using Ghana as a case study.

This study tries to achieve a more empirically and quantitatively founded understanding of the nature, scale and recent evolution of irregular West African migration to the Maghreb and Europe. It also evaluates how policies to manage trans-Saharan and trans-Mediterranean migration have affected current migration patterns.--Publisher's description.

"South-South Migration and Remittances" reports on preliminary results from an ongoing effort to improve data on bilateral migration stocks. It sets out some working hypotheses on the determinants and socioeconomic implications of South-South migration. Contrary to popular perception that migration is mostly a South-North phenomenon, South-South migration is large. Available data from national censuses suggest that nearly half of the migrants from developing countries reside in other developing countries. Almost 80 percent of South-South migration takes place between countries with contiguous borders. Estimates of South-South remittances range from 9 to 30 percent of developing countries' remittance receipts in 2005. Although the impact of South-South migration on the income of migrants and natives is smaller than for South-North migration, small increases in income can have substantial welfare implications for the poor. The costs of South-South remittances are even higher than those of North-South remittances. These findings suggest that policymakers should pay attention to the complex challenges that developing countries face not only as countries of origin, but also as countries of destination.

Africans arriving by rickety fishing boats to the Canary Islands is an example of the dark side of migration in human trafficking, but the picture of a continent on the move also includes highly skilled professionals from Nigeria and Ghana who seek employment in universities and other professions in South Africa. On the positive side, migrant remittances are a major source of income in many sub-Saharan African countries, helping to sustain the lives of poor home communities. A major challenge now facing sub-Saharan Africa is how to attract

The EU is struggling to cope with the so-called “migration crisis” that has emerged over the past few years. Designing the right policies to address immigration requires a deep understanding of its root causes. Why do Africans decide to leave their home countries? While the dream of a better life in Europe is likely part of the explanation, one also needs to examine the prevailing living conditions in the large and heterogeneous sub-Saharan region. This Report investigates the actual role of political, economic, demographic and environmental drivers in current migration flows. It offers a comprehensive picture of major migration motives as well as of key trends. Attention is also devoted to the role of climate change in promoting migration and to intra-continental mobility (two-thirds of sub-Saharan migrant flows start and end within the region). Two country studies on Eritrea and Nigeria are also included to get a closer sense of local developments behind large-scale migration to Europe.