ECOWAS Urges West African Governments to Create Jobs, Tackle Rising Irregular Migration

The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 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 are major factors driving irregular migration.

The regional legislature made the call after a week-long citizen engagement programme held in The Gambia, where lawmakers met with young people, migration returnees, community leaders and other stakeholders to examine the causes and consequences of irregular migration across the region.

Presenting the report of the engagement, the head of the delegation, Hon. Billay Tunkara, said participants identified unemployment, underemployment, low incomes, limited access to education and unequal economic opportunities as some of the major reasons young people risk dangerous migration journeys.

According to the report, many young West Africans believe available opportunities in their home countries do not provide a realistic path to economic stability, encouraging some to seek alternative routes abroad, including irregular migration channels.

The Parliament noted that the decision to migrate illegally is also influenced by factors such as family expectations, peer pressure and the portrayal of foreign destinations on social media.

During the engagement, migration returnees and survivors shared accounts of exploitation, forced labour, abuse, detention, family separation and psychological trauma experienced during irregular migration journeys.

The lawmakers said these survivors could become important voices in discouraging others from embarking on similar journeys by sharing their experiences and exposing the dangers associated with irregular migration.

Beyond awareness campaigns, the ECOWAS Parliament stressed that governments must address the root causes of migration by investing in vocational education, entrepreneurship, agriculture and access to finance for young people.

The regional lawmakers also called for stronger reintegration programmes for returnees, including psychosocial support, skills development and livelihood assistance to help them rebuild their lives after returning home.

For host country The Gambia, the Parliament emphasised the need for the speedy passage and implementation of the country's immigration bill as part of efforts to strengthen migration management.

The report further recommended that the ECOWAS Parliament institutionalise citizen and student engagement programmes across member states to improve parliamentary oversight and ensure that public concerns influence future migration policies.

The final draft of the report is expected to be presented for debate during the Parliament’s ordinary session before being forwarded to relevant ECOWAS institutions for possible implementation.

The call comes amid growing concerns across West Africa over irregular migration, particularly among young people seeking better economic opportunities abroad despite the risks associated with unsafe migration routes.