The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are expanding their partnership to integrate migration and mobility considerations into development investments across Southern Africa.
The collaboration follows a Deep Dive workshop held in Pretoria in May 2026, bringing together senior leaders and technical experts from both organisations. The meeting focused on creating a structured approach to include mobility, resilience, and migration priorities in future development programmes.
The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 and aims to address the growing connection between human mobility and sustainable economic development. Both institutions highlighted that the movement of people plays a vital role in regional integration, trade, investment, and access to opportunities.
The initiative will focus on strengthening mobility systems, improving responses to climate-related displacement and fragile environments, and supporting labour mobility and human capital development. These efforts are designed to help countries better manage migration while promoting inclusive growth.
The discussions also explored technology-driven mobility solutions for transport corridors and regional value chains, along with approaches that consider migration patterns from origin to destination. The partnership will also support diaspora engagement and innovative financing models.
The AfDB and IOM collaboration represents a major step toward embedding migration and mobility into long-term development planning. By combining financial resources, policy expertise, and operational knowledge, the organisations aim to create stronger and more resilient communities across Southern Africa.
