The Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa (known as the Joint Labour Migration Programme or JLMP) is a long-term joint undertaking between the African Union Commission, IOM and the International Labour Organization, to implement the fifth key priority area of the Declaration and Plan of Action on Employment, Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Development adopted by the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments (AU/Assembly/AU/20(XXIV)/Annex 3, January 2015) in Addis Ababa.

The JLMP Priority 2018–2021, a three-year priority project, was developed in response to identified labour migration challenges, unemployment and a growing youth bulge in many African countries. The overall objective was to improve labour migration governance in Africa for safe, orderly and regular migration as committed in relevant frameworks of the African Union and the regional economic communities, as well as relevant international human rights and labour standards and other cooperation processes.

IOM commissioned the baseline assessment within the framework of the JLMP Priority implementation to strengthen the capacity of the East African Community, the Economic Community of West African States and the Southern African Development Community,  and selected Member States in the management of labour migration. The report identifies existing needs and priorities of selected Member States within the three selected regional economic communities on labour migration management. The findings outline specific recommendations towards improving labour migration governance in these regions.