ILO and ECOWAS Chart a New Course for Labour Market and Migration Data in West Africa
ECOWAS and ILO have taken a major step toward stronger labour migration governance by validating a roadmap and harmonized indicators that will drive evidence-based policies and better protection for migrant workers.
21 November 2025
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), has successfully concluded the 2nd Annual Regional Meeting of ECOWAS Labour Migration Experts and the 5th Regional Technical Working Group on Migration Data Management.
Held from 28–30 October 2025 in Niger State, Nigeria, the three-day meeting brought together experts and statisticians from 11 ECOWAS Member States, alongside development partners, to strengthen the region’s ability to collect and use reliable labour migration data. This effort is critical for shaping policies that promote decent work and social protection for all.
The meeting’s highlight was the validation of the Labour Market and Migration Information System (LMMIS) Roadmap and the adoption of additional five harmonized regional labour migration indicators. Member States will produce these indicators annually to monitor progress toward the ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2030), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the regional Decent Work Agenda.
“Labour migration is central to regional integration and development, but it must be safe, regular, and beneficial for everyone,” said Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, speaking on behalf of Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. Dr Sintiki continued that “better coordination and data harmonization will help us make informed decisions that lead to decent jobs and stronger social protection for migrant workers.”
Reliable migration data is essential for advancing decent work and safeguarding the rights of migrant workers. The ILO is proud to support ECOWAS in building strong data systems and fostering collaboration that makes labour mobility a driver of inclusive growth and decent work outcomes.
Dr. Vanessa Phala - ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and ECOWAS Liaison Office
Chairing the meeting, Mr. Allie Augustine, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security of Sierra Leone, praised Member States and partners for their active engagement thus: “the validated LMMIS Roadmap is not the finish line—it’s the starting point for stronger regional coordination and accountability. It reflects our shared commitment to measurable progress in decent work and migration governance by 2030.”
This initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) under the project “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa – Phase II (FMM West Africa II),” is implemented by a consortium of partners including IOM, ICMPD, and ILO. Together, all actors aim to ensure that migration data becomes a powerful tool for shaping fair, inclusive, and sustainable labour mobility across West Africa.