The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), has officially launched the second phase of its flagship initiative, the Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa project (FMM II).
The event, which took place at the ECOWAS Commission Main Hall in Abuja, Nigeria, marks a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen regional integration, enhance migration governance, and facilitate the free movement of people across West Africa. The FMM II project aims to build on the successes of the first phase and addresses key challenges in migration, border management, and the promotion of legal, safe, and orderly migration within the region.
The project’s launch was attended by senior officials from the ECOWAS Commission, the IOM, ILO, and ICMPD, along with representatives from member states. The initiative is designed to tackle the growing need for improved regional policies and frameworks to manage migration flows, prevent human trafficking, promote migrant rights, and create more opportunities for migrant workers within West Africa.
FMM II is expected to provide support to ECOWAS member states in building capacity for better migration governance and more efficient cross-border collaboration. This phase will also focus on advancing the implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, which aims to enhance the free movement of people, goods, and services within the region, facilitating economic integration and contributing to regional stability.
According to the ECOWAS Commission, the second phase will also address emerging issues related to migration trends, including the growing numbers of migrants within and outside the region, as well as the need for comprehensive migration policies that respond to both the challenges and opportunities that migration presents for West African countries.
The FMM II project is a critical component of the ECOWAS Vision 2020, which aims to establish a borderless West Africa where people can move freely, access opportunities, and contribute to the overall development of the region. Through this collaboration with international partners, ECOWAS seeks to ensure a robust and sustainable approach to migration management that is based on solidarity, respect for human rights, and regional cooperation.
As the project progresses, it is expected to contribute significantly to improved migration policies and governance that benefit the people of West Africa and facilitate greater regional integration.
