African Human Mobility Review

Editorial

Mulugeta F. Dinbabo — 2025-04-25

Xenophobia in the Media: Critical Global Perspectives

Daniel Tevera — 2025-04-25

Migration Governance in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Peter Mudungwe — 2025-04-25

This article postulates that, despite its magnitude and positive impact in Africa, the attention accorded to migration, especially migration governance, which is fundamental to the management of migration, is not commensurate with its relative importance. To this end, the study uses qualitative methods to gather and analyze data from published research, policy documents, and evaluations conducted on the subject matter. Based on a literature review on the state of migration governance in Africa and its implications on African countries’ capacity to manage migration, the analysis observes that migration governance is relatively weak. The study attributes this mainly to inadequate resource allocation toward migration management. It unravels the reasons for this modest investment within the framework of public budgeting theories to explain how governments determine resource allocation across different needs. Furthermore, the article documents the substantial contribution of migration toward development in Africa against the relatively meager investments toward migration management. It also documents the substantial donor investments in the migration sector and decries this state of affairs with regard to the continent’s ability to set its migration agenda. The study concludes that the manifestations of weak migration governance are the reduced capacity of Africa to nurture and capitalize on the positive impact of migration, as well as the limitations on its ability to negotiate migration compacts. It recommends that Africa increases its investment in the migration sector as a prerequisite for taking charge of its migration agenda.

Curate’s egg: Effects of Parental Migration on Well-being of Zimbabwean Children Left Behind

Edmore Chingwe — 2025-04-25

Zimbabwe has a long history of labor migration to Global North nations such as Britain and the United States of America, as well as to several Global South countries like South Africa and Botswana. This migration has seen a surge in remittances, spurring the crafting of policies and strategies to tap into this economic window for national development. While parental migration may be bringing economic relief to the nation and households left behind, it has often been associated with numerous challenges,
particularly in the well-being of children left behind. In exploring challenges faced by children whose parents live and work abroad, a growing body of literature has emerged. This study reviews studies carried out in Zimbabwe on the effects of parental migration on the well-being of children left behind. It used a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology for primary studies deposited in three electronic libraries and downloaded by 31 December 2023. The purpose of the SLR is to develop a basis for empirical research, since this is a new study area in the country. It is anticipated that the study will contribute to the discourse on parental migration and its effects on development and nurturance practices of children left behind. Overall, the study asserts that there are both positive and negative effects of parental migration on children left behind; hence, the phenomenon is regarded as a curate’s egg.

Changing Diets, Varying Food Consumption Patterns, and Food Security among Recent Zimbabwean Migrants in Windhoek, Namibia

Godfrey Tawodzera — 2025-01-13

In Zimbabwe, decades of economic and political challenges have generated significant out-migration to neighboring countries including Namibia, perceived by many Zimbabweans as being more politically and economically stable than their home country. While numerous studies have documented these movements, few have interrogated the food security of migrants in host countries, where they are likely to face food security challenges. This study thus sought to investigate the changing dietary and food consumption patterns of recent Zimbabwean migrants in Namibia and the impact on household food security. The researcher collected data from 35
Zimbabwean migrant households in Windhoek through in-depth interviews. Study results show that deteriorating economic conditions and food insecurity were the major drivers of migration from Zimbabwe. The pre-migration diet of most migrants
was mixed, consisting of both traditional and Westernized foods. The major food security challenges were: non-availability of foods that migrants consumed while still in Zimbabwe; poor quality of some substitute foods; increased food expenses through importing foods from the home country; and shortage of time to prepare some foods. While most migrant households reported improved household food security compared to the pre-migration period, numerous food challenges remained. Many worried that the changing diet and the consequent increase in the consumption of over-processed foods could have negative health outcomes, hence impacting on their food security as well.

Cities of Contagion: Pandemic Precarity, Migration, and Food Security in Urban Africa

Jonathan Crush — 2025-01-13

Solving the Cape Town Puzzle: Class, Politics and Migration in the Informal Food Economy

Graeme Young — 2025-01-13

Political empowerment possesses significant potential to facilitate the realization of economic inclusion by allowing marginalized groups to make claims on the state in the pursuit of justice and equality. This is particularly promising for individuals engaged in informal economic activity. Cape Town, South Africa, is in many ways a model for this idea: following its post-apartheid democratization process, governments at the local, provincial, and national levels officially recognize the value of informality and have adopted policies to support it. Yet persistent forms of exclusion for those who engage in informal economic activity remain. This article examines why this is the case. In doing so, it explores the forms of marginalization experienced by migrant and non-migrant workers in the Cape Town’s informal food economy and highlights the importance of three factors in explaining why democratization has not translated into greater inclusion: (1) the contours of inequality in the city; (2) the nature of local and national party politics; and (3) the specific dynamics that surround migration and informality. When seeking to translate institutional change into more inclusive forms of development, it emphasizes the importance of paying attention to both open democratic structures and processes and the forms of politics that fill them.

Translocality, Remittances, and Food Security in the Ghana-Qatar Migration Corridor

Bernard Owusu — 2025-01-13

This paper examines the impact of migrant remittances on household food security in the Ghana-Qatar migration corridor. Drawing on a 2023 survey of migrant-sending households in Ghana and in-depth qualitative interviews with migrants in Qatar, the study explores the characteristics, determinants, and patterns of remitting. The findings reveal that cash remittances play a crucial role in enhancing food security and the overall welfare of households in Ghana. However, the pressure to remit affects the food security of migrants in Qatar significantly, and they often adopt various coping strategies to manage their limited resources. The paper highlights the translocal nature of Ghanaian households, where remittances contribute to the cultural and economic sustenance of families. The study underscores the dual role of remittances in supporting household food security while imposing financial constraints on migrants and calls for policies that address the needs of both remitters and recipients.

COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective

Cherie Enns — 2025-01-13

This study analyzes the experiences of urban refugee communities, more specifically, the
challenges young South Sudanese refugees living in Kenya face. We divert from the
comprehensive examination of refugees in camps to focus on urban youth amid Kenya’s refugee
policy changes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of South Sudanese
community leaders, our study engaged 58 participants – 42 males and 16 females. Participants
engaged in semi-structured discussions about food security and other daily challenges related to
their urban refugee experience. This study draws on postcolonial feminist theory to contextualize
the gender-specific dimensions of food insecurity, centering analysis on discussing historical
power structures, migration patterns, urbanism theory, and geopolitical influences contributing to
the experiences of South Sudanese urban refugee youth in Kenya. Study participants, irrespective
of location, encountered corruption, limiting policies, and conflicting identity formation, with
women specifically highlighting self-identity, dignity, and family as critical to supporting their
resilience. Participants emphasized the impact of COVID-19 on community cohesion, particularly
in shared meals. However, their agency was hindered by movement restrictions, invisible fences,
or barriers exacerbated by unequal support and aid distribution. The research advocates for the
formulation of clear African contextualized urban-based policies and migration systems that
prioritize the needs of urban refugees, safeguarding their rights and upholding human dignity.
Collaborative engagement with all stakeholders within local communities, especially youth
refugees, is necessary to develop effective urban policies that promote stability, economic
advancement, and social integration.

Pandemic Mobilities, Livelihood Disruptions, and Food Insecurities among Eastern Cape Migrants in Cape Town and Johannesburg during COVID-19

Jonathan Crush — 2025-01-13

This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internal migrants from the Eastern Cape in the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, with a focus on mobility restrictions, livelihood disruptions, and food insecurity. Methodologically, the paper draws on a survey of 1,733 migrant households in the two cities conducted in 2023 and identifies significant economic hardships and increased food insecurity among internal migrants during the pandemic. Findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated vulnerabilities, with many migrants experiencing job losses, reduced remittances, and heightened food insecurity. The paper underscores the need to differentiate between internal and international migrants in policy responses in times of crisis to ensure targeted support for the most affected populations.