The role of EU development cooperation in addressing irregular migration in Africa | Think Tank | European Parliament

This paper examines how European Union (EU) development cooperation is used to address irregular migration in Africa. It focuses on the implementation of the ‘root causes approach’ and increasing use of development funds to support migration management and border management in partner countries. Drawing on academic research, policy analysis and expert interviews, the paper explores both intended and unintended effects of EU-funded interventions, with a regional focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings show that EU development-funded interventions on migration prioritise control over facilitation and may thus conflict with broader development objectives. In some cases, development cooperation has reinforced external control agendas while undermining local priorities and migration systems. Hence, tensions are identified between EU migration policy and its commitments to Policy Coherence for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The paper argues that EU development cooperation on migration should be cautious when targeting the reduction of irregular migration as a primary objective, since this approach relies on contested assumptions, shows little evidence of reducing migration, and may produce outcomes at odds with broader development objectives. It calls for a reorientation towards facilitating mobility in ways that enable its developmental potential, strengthen local ownership and build on existing regional priorities, particularly by supporting intra-African migration systems.