ECOWAS Urges West African Nations To Create Jobs To Curb Irregular Migration

The ECOWAS Parliament has called on governments across West Africa to prioritise the creation of decent and sustainable jobs for young people, warning that unemployment and limited economic opportunities remain major drivers of irregular migration and human trafficking across the region.

The appeal followed a week-long citizen engagement in The Gambia, where lawmakers met with young people, returnees, community leaders and other stakeholders to examine the root causes of irregular migration and propose lasting solutions.

Presenting the report of the engagement, the head of the delegation, Hon. Billay Tunkara, said participants identified unemployment, underemployment, low incomes, inadequate access to education and vocational training, and limited economic opportunities as the key factors pushing many young people to embark on dangerous migration routes.

According to the report, many youths believe the opportunities available in their home countries offer little prospect of economic advancement, making migration through irregular channels appear to be their only chance of achieving a better future.

The Parliament also noted that family expectations, peer pressure and social media have become significant influences, with stories of successful migrants abroad encouraging others to take similar risks despite being aware of the dangers.

Lawmakers heard testimonies from returnees and survivors who recounted experiences of deception, forced labour, exploitation, abuse, detention, family separation and psychological trauma during their migration journeys.

The report observed that survivors could play an important role in discouraging irregular migration by sharing their experiences with vulnerable communities.

Beyond awareness campaigns, the Parliament urged member states to invest more in vocational education, entrepreneurship, agriculture and access to finance to create economic opportunities for young people.

It also called for stronger reintegration programmes for returnees, including psychosocial support, skills training, livelihood assistance and community reintegration.

Among its recommendations, the regional legislature urged ECOWAS member states to strengthen cross-border cooperation against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, improve intelligence sharing, deploy modern border surveillance technology and expand access to affordable financing for young entrepreneurs.

For The Gambia, the Parliament specifically recommended the speedy passage and implementation of the country’s immigration bill, alongside increased investment in communities most affected by irregular migration through job creation and development programmes.

The lawmakers also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, families and the media to intensify public awareness campaigns, discourage the financing of irregular migration and promptly report suspected cases of migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

The report further recommended that the ECOWAS Parliament institutionalise regular citizen and student engagement across member states to strengthen parliamentary oversight and ensure public consultations shape future migration, regional integration and human security policies.

The recommendations will be debated during the Parliament’s ordinary session before being forwarded to relevant ECOWAS institutions for consideration and possible implementation.